Easter was much quieter on the top fruit market. "Yet the current pear market is noticeably strong," says Marc Evrard of the Belgische Fruitveiling (BFV). "Demand is generally good, making the market seem far more favorable than a few weeks ago. However, due to well-known conditions, the rest of the season remains uncertain."
BFV at Fruit Logistica. F.l.t.r: Diether Everaerts, Patrick Thoen, Ludo Lousbergh, Gunther De Vadder, Marc Grauwels, Marc Evrard, Filip Lowette, Davy Smets, and Betty Slingers.
This year's Belgian top fruit season has been extremely challenging. "Top fruit sales haven't been a local affair for a long time; these days, it's a truly global trade. You, therefore, have to consider geopolitical situations, phytosanitary requirements, regional productions, and climate change. When all these factors converge, and there's a pandemic, you can well call this year's top fruit sales incredibly challenging."
The pear season started very well. Italy's crop failed, which slightly benefited Dutch and Belgian pear sales. "For growers, it can be very frustrating when it seems the season's going to be great and then turns problematic. The closure of the Belarusian border and the situation in Ukraine, with all the huge consequences that entails, have obviously greatly affected the market," Marc continues.
"Add transport strikes in Italy - that has become a significant sales market for us - and Spain. Overnight, those markets become entirely inaccessible or very difficult to reach for a week or two. So, demand is good, but logistical problems directly affect our product's pricing."
The BFV has worldwide sales markets. Over the last ten to 15 years, this Belgian cooperative has, thus, gained expertise in marketing fruit in volatile markets. "We adjusted our commercialization to that volatility a long time ago. It depends on so many factors, some previously mentioned. You, therefore, have to be able to react quickly to changing market situations. I think, in the past few months, we've managed to create an optimal situation, despite the circumstances, by moving quickly to other sales markets," Marc explains.
Marketing to China, however, remains challenging for the BFV. In recent years, China has grown considerably as a market for this cooperative. "Just three years ago, it was, very conservatively, predicted that the Chinese market would increase by 300% for us. Major logistical problems, like irregularities and congestion, have hampered that, though."
"The massive lockdowns of that country's megacities, of course, have a massive impact. Our online sales there could initially absorb that," says Evrard. "But, when 25 million people per city suddenly start ordering their fruit and vegetables online, it creates significant logistical difficulties."
"Transport and warehouse workers are also quarantined at home and cannot travel freely. That leads to a shortage, and products cannot get to the right places. These issues will remain for some time, but we've, nonetheless, managed to consolidate the market in China. Certainly not a poor achievement in these times," Marc concludes.
For more information:
Marc Evrard
Belgische Fruitveiling
800 Montenakenweg
3800, St. Truiden, Belgium
Tel: +32 (0) 116 93 411
Email: marc.evrard@bfv.be
Website: www.bfv.be