After the busy Christmas period, calm has not returned to Districhamp in Pittem. “The demand during the holidays was substantial, but the demand is still very good at the moment. The expectation is that this will continue in the coming months," says Paul Delbeke.
Due to the declining numbers of players on the mushroom market, the slightly lower productions coupled with slightly higher costs, has caused the rising prices for mushrooms, but whether that rise will continue is unclear. “The expectations for 2020 are positive, although some questions remain unanswered. Among other things, we do not know as yet what will happen with the Brexit and how will the Polish mushroom sector will react to this."
“The biggest problems, were caused by the poorer quality of the raw material, has for the most part been solved. The maximum kilograms hasn't been reached as yet, but the quality of the mushrooms is currently good. ”The grower and trader expects that demand will certainly be good until around May. During summer demand from the South has increasing considerably. “In the South of France they cannot meet the tourist demand during the holiday season, so quite a few mushrooms are imported from Belgium in response. Therefore, a large part of our production is insured during the summer period."
“Packaging will be one of the biggest challenges for us in the coming years. Plastic is still the best way to package mushrooms, both for the quality of the product and for the costs. 90% of our mushrooms are still packaged in plastic and the remaining 10% in cardboard. We currently work with PET, but we see it more as an interim solution. Yet we are well aware that there will be a change in the packaging material in the future. We are certainly open to any alternative sustainable and affordable container that fits in our range. If the opportunity presents itself, we certainly wont wait to grab it.” Paul concludes.
For more information:
Districhamp
Paul Delbeke
Brugsesteenweg 66
8740 Pittem
Belgium
T:+32 51 48 58 97
info@voc-districhamp.be
www.voc-districhamp.be