There's a vast difference between the current apple and pear markets. That's according to Erik Kieftenburg of MJ Pronk in the Netherlands. "When it comes to apples, we're short of everything. Buying is currently more challenging than selling. There aren't large Elstar volumes any more."
"And Jonagold stocks are also quickly vanishing. There'll certainly still be Dutch apples on the market in the coming months. That's because it's going to be spread out. Prices will, however, be very different," Erik explains. "The price of Boskoop, for example, is already selling for €1.70."
"Pears are lagging far behind. As the season progresses, I expect an upturn. But for now, there are enough pears. Prices are around €0.70 to €0.85 for the larger sizes. And between €0.45 and €0.55 for the 55-65 sorting. All in all, not very impressive, especially when they've been stored for such a long time."
Erik says growers in North Holland don't have to irrigate against frost yet. "Nothing is flowering here yet. We're ten days behind the south [of the country]. However, night frost has been predicted for the whole week. Planting will suffer from hailstorms too. Everything's looking very flimsy," he concludes.
For more information:
Erik Kieftenburg
MJ Pronk
2 Groothandelsmarkt
1681 NN, Zwaagdijk, NL
Email: erik@mjpronk.nl
Website: www.mjpronk.nl