The high prices on the carrot market have caused some reluctance among buyers, says Robin Rustenburg of Arie Rustenburg & Zn. This family enterprise has had a wholesaler at the wholesale market in Amsterdam for over 70 years, led by his brother Michel. Robin is responsible for cultivating and packaging the carrots. "The increasing price has resulted in a somewhat shaky market. We're not seeing thousands of tonnes of carrots going through the washing line now. Normally we're washing larger volumes at this time of year."
Rustenburg packages the carrots in plastic, nets and jute, in sizes from 1.5 and 10 kilos to big bags. "The price of the good batches is around 40 cents. Eastern Europe is taking the lead at the moment, and pays a good price. The good shipments have been 'locked' for a long time, because the price was thought to go up further. Now the best quality shipments are being released," Robin says. "A sufficient amount of carrots is available, proportionally equivalent to the amount in storage in an average year."
Arie Rustenburg & Zn processes a large number of hectares of cultivation from all over the Netherlands, half of which is their own cultivation. Cultivation takes place all over the Netherlands, including on the nearby fertile Opperdoezer soil, famous for the Opperdoezer Ronde. The mouse damage that affected many growers, hasn't caused Rustenburg much damage. "We're in the most northern location of all, and pretty much all the plots that are more to the south have been affected. Very remarkable, perhaps there were more sweets on the land there," Robin says jokingly.
The company also sells some organic carrots. That market, Robin says, became stable and rather straightforward after the bad market situation last year. "There are also few imported carrots available. Israel isn't doing as much now, Spain is a lot less, and we still have to see what comes from France." He doesn't want to give a prediction about the market: "If I could, I'd be a multinational."
The company also sells some organic carrots. That market, Robin says, became stable and rather straightforward after the bad market situation last year. "There are also few imported carrots available. Israel isn't doing as much now, Spain is a lot less, and we still have to see what comes from France." He doesn't want to give a prediction about the market: "If I could, I'd be a multinational."
For more information:
Robin Rustenburg
Arie Rustenburg & Zn
Galgeweg 7
1674 NA Opperdoes
Tel. +31(0)227-547879
Fax +31(0)227-547890
Mob. +31(0)6-22972684
robin@arierustenburgenzn.nl
www.arierustenburgenzn.nl