Le Jardin de Rabelais produces cherry tomatoes (85% of production) and small 65g vine tomatoes. Mr Serrault says that ''tests are regularly carried out on new varieties but for the time being we have not been able to find anything that is at the level of what we produce today''. Their flagship product is their 3kg crates which are very successful with fruit and vegetable retailers in France.
Production is spread out over 11.5 ha in their 5 greenhouses, which are heated and lit in the winter allowing production to continue all year round. ''We have the particularity of having an exceptional taste and quality that is as good in the winter as it is in the summer'' says Mr Serrault. They have been working on a biogas project that should be completed within the year, allowing them to be self-sufficient in energy.
30% of their production is exported, mainly to the UK and Germany as well as other smaller markets such as Luxembourg, Spain and Russia (volume exported to Russia is not big enough for the current situation to affect their company).
For more information:
Le Jardin de Rabelais
Zac des Grands Clos
37420 Avoine FRANCE
Tél : +33 02 47 58 90 17
Fax : +33 02 47 58 90 52