For Belgium company Rotom, the start of the busiest period of the year is gradually coming around. As larger volumes of Dutch and Belgian tomatoes from unlit cultivation increasingly find their way to the market, it also marks the peak period for the company specializing in tomato cultivation. "Within a week or two, we expect to really start in full swing," says Philippe Degré, export manager at Rotom, which, besides purchasing, also grows (un)lit TOVs, cocktail tomatoes, round tomatoes, and plum tomatoes.
After a very challenging last winter, where the lit cultivation was almost completely halted due to the energy crisis, Rotom was able to continue working reasonably well with tomatoes from lit cultivation this winter. "There was still not the full capacity of local lit cultivation, but this winter, we were able to light up 8 of 15 ha again."
So, these weeks are gradually but surely seeing the transition to the local goods. "We have already fully started with bell peppers, eggplants, and cucumbers, but we also notice that everyone is switching to tomatoes. Although Spain has had a reasonably good season, given the climatic challenges, we now hear more and more often that the quality of Spanish tomatoes is declining. Belgian and Dutch volumes cannot completely fill the gap yet, but tomatoes remain a quintessential summer product, so the demand is not yet of such a nature that we are seeing very high prices."
Tomato prices will drop
The grower also knows that for tomatoes, demand traditionally shoots up around mid to late April. "In the past weeks, we have looked at prices that were heading towards €2.20. This week it already dropped more to around €1.70 and that will only continue to decrease as the larger volumes will hit the market in a week or two. When eventually the demand increases as temperatures rise and the sun consistently shines, there will also be supply, with which the market can remain balanced."
Philippe does not see any real change in the demand for different tomato varieties. "Convenience has obviously been a trend that has been set for a while. The snack segment is gaining more and more ground across almost the entire spectrum, and that is certainly no different with tomatoes." However, he does see a difference between various markets. "We actually sell the whole range, but one can see, for example, that Spain mainly wants bulk products, such as beef tomatoes and TOVs. Italy, on the other hand, wants more specialties, such as Deliziano or San Marzano tomatoes."
High asparagus prices are inevitable towards Easter
Another product that is celebrating its peak period in the run-up to Easter is asparagus. This period saw a lot of discussion about this 'white gold,' but for Rotom's sister company, Orca, the trade in it came into life. "The true 'white gold' is really chicory. That's what we are particularly very much into at Orca, but asparagus is, of course, the bestseller at the moment," Philippe says. "Yet, the supply is still always limited. There is now more and more coming, but every time Easter takes place early, as it does this year, we know there will be shortages. In that respect, we prefer Easter to happen around mid-April, when we are a bit further into the season, and the supply is more reasonable."
The result is that high prices are being paid for asparagus at the moment. "That they are expensive towards Easter is inevitable. There are relatively few volumes on the market, but everyone wants them in their stores. This means they will be purchased regardless of the price. We also see that as a result, some traders decide at the last minute to switch to imports instead of local goods."
When the larger volumes will arrive, Philippe cannot really say. "The supply is increasing slowly but surely. If there are a few days of sunshine and it does not get too cold at night, they will appear in large numbers in the second half of April. It ultimately all depends on the weather conditions. Moreover, it is also still to be seen what the wet ground means for the quality. A winter like this year is a new fact. We saw it with chicory, where we can see the consequences of the wet winter later in the season. The same situation could occur with asparagus."
On the demand side, however, he sees few surprises. "Asparagus are still one of the few true seasonal products. Everyone is eagerly awaiting them. You also know that the demand starts in the run-up to Easter and ends at the end of June. There are earlier asparagus from Spain and later from Peru, but that does not count here. For Belgium and the Netherlands, it really is a thing. We start with Easter and end on 24 June. Even if there are still asparagus at the end of June, that is the time to call it a day. That is also what makes it so beautiful. It is a short and stressful season, but it remains a special period."
Kom op tegen Kanker
From 9 to 12 May, the employees of Rotom and Orca will participate in the initiative 'Kom op tegen Kanker' (Let's all tackle Cancer). "We have registered two teams with which we ultimately have to cycle 1,000 km to raise as much money as possible. It was our first time, but we wanted to commit ourselves to this beautiful cause. Moreover, it gives everyone the opportunity to get to know each other a bit more outside the office, as some training has to take place beforehand," Philippe laughs. "We are not the only ones in the fruit and vegetable trade, so we warmly invite everyone to encourage everyone along the course during these days."
For more information:
Philippe Degré
Rotom Tomatoes
Drevendaal 38
B-2860 Sint-Katelijne-Waver
Tel.: +32 15 32 38 32
philippe@rotom-tomatoes.com
www.rotom-tomatoes.com