The Dutch cherry season is currently in full swing at Van Randwijk and Van Doorn Fruit. "Sales are going very well. From a European perspective there are a lot less cherries and we are now reaping the benefits," says Gijsbert van Randwijk. He grows cherries himself on an area of around 5 hectares under the hood in the Hoeksche Waard. Sales take place towards the domestic wholesaler and via a number of own stalls, including a real Cherry Drive-In at the location in Mijnsheerenland.
"Our own harvest is slightly below the long-term average, but fortunately the quality is very good," the grower continues. The company grows the entire cherry range from early Burlat and Merchant cherries to late Kordia and Regina. "There are some new varieties on the market in the early and middle segment, but you can't just beat the 'good old ones' like Kordia and Regina!"
Although sales went smoothly in the first weeks of the season, there are currently some more Greek and Turkish cherries on the market, according to Gijsbert. "Qualitatively this is a big difference with the Dutch, because the foreign ones are hard and sour in my opinion. The fact that many supermarkets still sell foreign cherries in the supermarkets unfortunately hinders high consumption."
"But we are not complaining, this year there are lots of cherries being eaten in the Netherlands. Because of the lower harvest, we are even seeing some demand from Germany now, but I expect that the export of Dutch cherries will always be limited. The cherries that are being growing in The Netherlands can be eaten in their own country," says Gijsbert.
This year, the cherry growing company introduced a new cardboard packaging from Fonkels Verpakkingen. "We have these available in 500 and 1,000 grams and we are very happy with the presentation!
For more information:
Van Randwijk and Van Doorn Fruit 
Gijsbert van Randwijk
Nijverheidstraat 9
3291 CH Strijen
Tel: +31 (0) 6 53 67 95 99
gijsbert@hollandsekersen.nl
www.hollandsekersen.nl