Dutch wholesaler, Tovano, has had Diamond walnuts in their assortment for a few weeks now. This year, however, their Californian supplier has had to deal with a disappointing harvest. There were various reasons for this. "This year's pricing is, therefore, very different from last year," says Richard Strijbis. "This makes sales difficult. But the containers are sold out quite quickly."
"Clients have also seen there are no cheap walnuts available on the market. We have been able to cover ourselves reasonably well. For example, we offer walnuts in 10kg bags under our own brand."
"Our clients usually take 25kg boxes. Many of them are, however, asking for smaller amounts. The 10kg packs are, therefore, really meeting a need this year," explains Richard.
"It is, of course, always a little busier because of Christmas. But, not so much that we have been preparing solely for this holiday for a while now. For us, Easter sales have been higher than Christmas in recent years."
"Overall demand for our range is, however, increasing, certainly for the raw, untreated, skinned nuts. Every year we sell more skinned walnuts, Brazil nuts, pecans, and almonds," the wholesaler continues.
Tovano products find their way to domestic and overseas retail organizations. They also go to exporters in the fruit and vegetable sector. Industrial food processing companies, greengrocers, and street traders buy them too.
Dates are currently another popular product. "Sales of these are increasing significantly at the moment. Dates find their way well over the whole line. It does not matter is they come from Iraq or Tunisia. People value these products with their natural sugars and no additives. They are also used in tapas-like ways," concludes Richard.
For more information:
Tovano
47 Transportweg
4676 LM Maasdijk, NL
Tel.: + 31 (0) 174 528 333
Fax: +31 (0) 174 528 001
Email: richard@tovano.nl
Website: www.tovano.nl