Weather conditions in Spain are already better than the beginning of last week, but the supply of Spanish strawberries has clearly fallen. It will be harder for importers to serve their customers optimally this week and next week, says Henk Vlaeminck from Van Dijk Foods Belgium. Van Dijk Foods Belgium is part of the 'Groep A. De Witte'.
30-40% less
Since the beginning of this week the volumes from Spain have been considerably low, "Last week we already started having a feeling that this was going to happen. Right now 30-40% less strawberries and other soft fruits are coming in. In addition, Spain planted less this year than last season, which will add to this drop. However, this has had little impact on the market situation because the demand is not very high. Therefore the prices have not excessively increased."
Vlaemink says that approximately 70% of all Spanish strawberries are tied to a program. The remaining 30% is destined for the free market, "Programs are discussed in advance so they all mostly get filled, even if there is less volume. I also expect that there will be sufficient supply. It will only be more difficult in the free market next week." Henk says that it is difficult to estimate how demand will be, "That largely depends on the weather. The programs do not go well when the weather is bad. If supermarkets cannot sell all their strawberries at that time, they bring the surplus back to the free market and the price drops. But it can also be very different, we just have to wait and see what happens next week."
For more information:
Henk Vlaeminck
Van Dijk Foods Belgium
Kempenarestraat 50
2860 Sint-Katelijne-Waver
Tel.: +32 15 55 65 61
Fax.: +32 15 55 65 66
info@vdfb.be
www.vandijkfoods.be