"We're heading for a peak period"

Everyone is feeling the shortage on the banana market, says Christophe Vandenbroeck, Manager at Van Damme in Belgium: "There is minimal production in the countries of origin. This is due to severe climate problems such as storms and floods. Although there are still bananas available, shortages are developing in Colombia and Costa Rica. Prices are already rising and we are not even at the peak of the season yet. These prices will continue to climb in the coming weeks." 

Van Damme ripens bananas from Panama, Ecuador, Costa Rica and Colombia. Their organic fairtrade bananas come from Ecuador and Peru.

Many children like eating a banana during their school lunch break. Christophe: "March and April are very good months for the banana market. Schools are still in full swing. There is also not yet any summer fruit. We are building up to this peak period now. The year has only begun, but I have already noticed an increase in demand."

 

"Over the past few years, our company has grown by 15%, on average, per year. We have made considerable investments such as new offices and new state-of-the-art ripening cells. We are committed to being as sustainable and eco-friendly as possible. We have made progress in the area of renewable energy."

It is also going well with Van Damme's subsidiary, Aïda. "Aïda is more specialised in the distribution of our bananas in the traditional market. Their position is very important to us and we they have more than proven their value."

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Christophe Vandenbroeck