Nautilus Organic is, compared to other cooperatives, unique in the Netherlands because they’re completely focused on 100% organic fruit and vegetables. For the organic growers of greenhouse vegetables, the new season is about to start. In March, the first cucumbers and aubergines were marketed, and red and yellow bell peppers, sweet pointed bell peppers, snack and vine tomatoes and peppers will now follow.
Ron van Dijk, organic greenhouse vegetable grower for Groenland Organics
As a result, various products from Dutch soils will once again have plenty of supply. In the coming period, these Dutch products will take over from organic vegetables from Spain. The change in the season usually occurs between week 16 and week 18. Coert Lamers of Nautilus Organic: “Volumes from Dutch soils are still too small to supply all supermarkets. That will change in the coming weeks. However, national and international supermarkets are already asking for some products that we can supply.”
Demand for organic products is increasing. Although Nautilus Organic is continuing to expand by adding more growers to the cooperative, the total Dutch organic area decreased by a few hectares. “Despite the fact that the area for organic products in Spain increases every year.”
Nautilus Organic works with contracts for fixed volumes and prices when possible. “About 75 per cent of our products is sold in permanent programmes. The major benefit of that is that it brings peace of mind to both growers and customers regarding prices and volumes. It also means we can keep availability per week and even per day at an optimal level, so that prices are less sensitive to price fluctuations.”
Biodynamic grower in greenhouse horticulture Rob van Paassen
“We’re on schedule with our harvest, and we’re expecting a regular harvest, just like last year. Although we’ll have to wait and see what this year will throw at us.” Nautilus Organic is primarily alert regarding Brexit. “About 25 percent of our production is destined for the British market. A hard Brexit could result in export to the UK becoming more difficult. However, it also offers opportunities to find solutions with our customers that would make us distinctive from Spain, for example. Should it come to that, we’ve already made arrangements with our customers and transporters to supply the British market with our products as quickly as possible.”
Nautilus Organic can currently still use new growers because of the rising demand for organic products. “We sometimes come into contact with organic growers at the fairs we’re part of. To us, it’s very important that Nautilus’s vision corresponds to how the grower feels about the organic production, and that it also fits the way Nautilus wants to market itself as a cooperative.” Nautilus Organic also sees opportunities in biodynamic agriculture. One of the most important hallmarks of biodynamic agriculture is Demeter, which is mostly popular in Germany, where demand is still increasing.
For more information:
Coert Lamers
Nautilus Organic
+31 6 23 43 41 09
Ecu 21a
8305 BA Emmeloord, the Netherlands
clamers@nautilusorganic.nl
www.nautilusorganic.nl