This week, the tomato and cucumber import season started at Fortuna Frutosis. The first of these products arrived at this Dutch company from the Canary Islands, complemented by the first Spanish and Moroccan round and plum tomatoes. The first Spanish TOV will follow next week. "It started completely different from last year," says Gert-Jan Slobbe.
"Last year's season was very turbulent. We had a tough start in November and December. There were large volumes from Southern Europe and a long tail from the local Northern European crop. That resulted in an oversupply and a very challenging market situation in the first six to eight weeks of the season."
"That changed from the second week of January, after which there was no surplus. But that didn't make it easy, because at certain times it was very tricky to supply regular customers with product. Also, volumes were high and prices low for the first two months of the season. That made it hard to raise the seasonal average with the later, lower volumes. Growers certainly won't reflect on a good season," the importer says.
The cards were dealt very differently this season. "The Dutch tomato season usually runs until week 46/47, but many growers are already closing the season. The imported tomatoes are coming later, as due to virus pressure, many growers planted later, thus avoiding the warmer weather. So, the first few weeks' outlook is excellent. Prices are good, and there won't be any abundant volumes on the market in the coming weeks. The start also looks positive for cucumbers."
"Virus pressure keeps growers busy in both the Netherlands and southern Europe. Hard work is being done on resistant varieties, but it's still early days and those don't always meet market and grower wishes yet. But developments are ongoing, and hopefully, we can make a careful start with these next year," explains Gert-Jan. Fortuna Frutos Continental will keep its 130 hectares of round tomatoes and 15 hectares of cucumbers in the Canary Islands this season.
"We can look back on a successful participation in the Fruit Attraction trade show in Madrid. The market is noticeably unsure, and product availability hasn't been a given. You feel that uncertainty from growers to customers. What will the weather do? Will there be export stops again? These are all insecure factors."
"Fortuna Frutos serves a good client mix of Dutch retailers, food service companies, and specialists, as well as supermarkets elsewhere in Europe. We're pleased to have moved to our new premises last year, where we transship our products. We're therefore set for the import season," Gert-Jan concludes.
Team Fortuna Frutos at Fruit Attraction in Madrid. Gert-Jan is second from the right.
For more information:
Gert-Jan Slobbe
Fortuna Frutos
Tel: +31 (0) 180 751 410
Email: gert-jan@fortuna-frutos.com
Website: www.fortuna-frutos.com