Dutch tomato growers that are starting production are looking at good price prospects, says Ronald van der Knaap of sales organization Haluco. "Currently, the prices are good, and we hope that this will continue until the end of the year.”
"The production of lighted TOV will start a couple of weeks later than last year", says Ronald van der Knaap of Haluco. "Last year, it started in week 42, 43, but this year it will start in week 47, 48."
According to him, this is due, among other things, to a number of 'early' growers that have switched to the cultivation of specialties. "And the entire cultivation has moved up a few weeks this season."
This development has a favorable effect on the price. "The market is healthier now. There's a better match between non-lighted and lighted tomato cultivation, and the non-lighted grower is getting a better price for his tomatoes. Last year, there was a strong overlap, more competition, which resulted in mediocre prices."
More retail sales due to corona
The price of a 5-kg box of TOV is currently two euros higher than last year. Van der Knaap expects this good price will continue up to week 52 and may make up for the bad year some growers have had.
This will also depend on the second corona wave. "Based on retail orders, corona seems to be boosting TOV sales. The retail market is the main outlet for TOV at this time of year."
Although some Dutch growers switched from TOV to specialties, the total acreage of lighted TOV has increased once more. Van der Knaap sees Spanish competition further declining in the TOV and cocktail tomato markets. "This year, you hear that more bell peppers have been planted in Spain, but you don't hear much about TOV. It seems the acreage is declining. European retailers are increasingly choosing lighted TOV from the Netherlands. This has to do with quality and supply, among other factors.”
Loose tomatoes affected by corona
The price prospects for loose tomatoes are not as good. "It seems loose tomatoes will once more be the most affected by the corona measures. They are often used by the food service sector and restaurants, which are still closed for the coming period”, adds Van der Knaap. Lighted loose tomatoes are hardly cultivated in the Netherlands. This happens mainly in Spain and Morocco.
For more information:
Haluco
www.haluco.nl
Ronald van der Knaap
rkn@haluco.com