Hermans Suikermais has begun harvesting Dutch sweetcorn two weeks earlier than last year. "We're looking forward to it again and are already in the full swing of things. From Thursday, the first corn will be available for sale," says Giel Hermans.
The hot weather throughout Europe means lots of barbecues, which benefits sweetcorn demand. "Scandinavia, too, wants plenty of Dutch corn. There's an enormous demand. It won't be 35°C plus every day, but good weather is forecast for the next two weeks. And that's always what it comes down to."
The Spanish corn season is almost over. "That went quite well, though they sent considerably lower volumes. Due to the weather in the Netherlands, demand for the last Spanish corn is picking up. But that season really is as good as over now," says the grower.
This year, Hermans Suikermais' cultivation expanded in Belgium. "Belgians are increasingly discovering sweetcorn and the supermarkets prefer buying local corn. We aren't far from the Belgian border, so that's easy to arrange. We see good opportunities to enter the Belgian market."
Hermans Suikermais sells 80% of its corn to supermarkets. "There are great promotions in the offing," Giel continues. "This year, at a client's request, we planted five hectares of organic sweet corn for the first time." He adds that, recently, the trend has been to sell more and more loose, unshucked corn.
"There's not much else to say other than we're looking forward to the season. We have access to modern, good-quality varieties that taste the best. Customers can, thus, enjoy the new Dutch and Belgian harvest to the fullest," Giel concludes.
For more information:
Giel Hermans
Hermans Suikermais
1a Donk
5995 PL, Kessel, NL
Tel: +31 (0) 654 757 764
Email: giel@mielies.nl
Website: www.mielies.nl