In the European Centre for Fruit and Vegetables, the traders are waiting for higher temperatures and sunshine. “April and May are usually the months to sell, but we do need good weather for that,” says Cédric Geens of import company W. Jonckheere.
“Spain has a very good production of stone fruit and melons this year. We started the season with prices that were low, because volumes on the market are too high and there’s not enough demand. Melons and stone fruit are eaten when the weather’s good, but it was disappointing recently. Fortunately, prospects for the coming week are better,” the trader explains.
Stefan Adriani and Cédric Geens of W. Jonckheere
“The prices for watermelons were between €0.80 and €1.00 per kilo at the start of the Ramadan last year. This year, prices are between €0.15 and €0.30 per kilo. Prices for peaches aren’t good either. Last year, prices for size 8 peaches were around €8.00, and now they’re around €2.50. It’s as if we no longer have a mid-market,” Cédric says. Avocado and sweet potato appear to be gaining in demand and popularity. “Demand for both products is good, and increases every year. Both the greenskins and the Hass avocados are selling well.”
Spanish cherries
At Van Lier, the first Spanish and Italian cherries are arriving. “Cherries are products that are eaten when the weather’s good, and we haven’t had that in a while. Citrus, on the other hand, has done well, probably better than it will do in a month, when we’ll be in the summer season,” says Dirk Bilteryst of Van Lier.
Kiwi fruit
Van Dijk Foods Belgium has had Zespri SunGold kiwi fruit from New Zealand since early May. “It’s a good product and it sells well. The green ones will arrive about a week or two later than SunGold. Although we’ve noticed SunGold becoming increasingly popular, green is still number one regarding sales.” The trader is very positive about the quality of the Spanish stone fruit, but sales are still a bit behind due to the weather.
Part of exotic specialist Exofi’s range
Starfruit already has quite a few melons in its range
For more information:
W. Jockheere
+32(0)22 42 61 03
cgeens@wjonckheere.be
For more information:
Dirk Biltereyst
Van Lier
+32 2 215 49 15
dirk.biltereyst@vanlier.be
For more information:
Van Dijk Foods Belgium
+32(0)15 55 65 61
sales@vandijkfoods.be
www.vandijkfoods.be