Q-CAPE is an organic trading company in the Netherlands. This company has sharpened its focus. A few years ago, South African pumpkins and sweet potatoes supplemented its organic potato, carrot, and onion range. However, as of this season, Q-Cape is focusing exclusively on organic products from South Africa.
"There's high demand for our South African products. So, we've decided to expand the acreage. That was done in consultation with our growers in South Africa. We, thus, have to pay extra attention to those organic pumpkins and sweet potatoes. That's regarding their cultivation, harvest, transport, and processing. We want to maintain the highest level of quality. We've, therefore, decided to fully focus on the South African products," says Q-Cape's Leo Stoker.
Q-Cape works with a cultivation consultant to support and guide the South African growers. Kees van Woerden and Leo are regularly on-site too. They discuss strategic choices with the growers. They talk about acreage, cultivation planning, and variety choices.
And they look ahead to broaden the range. The growers' specific wishes and possibilities are important here. "The growers appreciate the cooperation with us. Because together we offer new perspectives for organic crop farming," Leo concludes.
Unlike in the Netherlands, the new cultivation season is already in full swing in South Africa. The pumpkins were planted in September. Growers will harvest these from November until late February. Sweet potatoes are planted from October. They are ready for harvest from February to the end of May.
Q-Cape directly imports these organic pumpkins and sweet potatoes. Once in the Netherlands, the products are washed, sorted, and packaged according to customer specifications. Sales are mainly focused on supermarket chains and wholesalers in Western Europe.
A new logo and website, www.qcape.nl, accompany the company's new focus.
For more information:
Leo Stoker
Q-CAPE
Tel: +31 (0) 622 121 852
Email: leostoker@qcape.nl
Website: www.qcape.nl