The economic crisis is beginning to affect the Belgian soft fruit market. "September is usually quiet for soft fruit as schools start up again and everyone slowly returns from vacation. There are bills to pay, so sales stagnate. Plus, the weather turns. Still, it's even quieter than usual because of the energy crisis, which everyone's genuinely starting to feel," explains Belgian wholesaler Frank Valckenier.
"We're stuck with produce that must sell, but the energy prices are making people more thrifty. They're more cautious about buying fruits and vegetables, though I think many sectors will notice this. Due to limited supply, soft fruit is also currently slightly more expensive, making it much harder to sell."
Frank thinks there are hard times ahead. "Growers are struggling to figure things out. Energy bills have to be kept as low as possible to remain profitable. But when you work day and night to bring the best possible product to market but, ultimately, have nothing to show for it or even have to pay in, I have full understanding for growers considering not taking the risk of heating," he says.
"Though this won't bring cultivation to a halt, the market supply will be greatly reduced. That, in turn, implies that produce will become pricier; yet it still needs to be sold. Predicting the future is difficult, though I assume everyone is going to have a tough go of it. It's hard to say if things will improve; we can only hope things stabilize again, and sales then pick up."
Top fruit
This Belgian trader is, however, somewhat more optimistic about Belgian top fruit. But there, too, are challenges. "Belgian top fruit is starting to come onto the market and is expensive. I expect sales to start improving soon. Still, here too, growers are struggling, and I hope consumers will buy an extra apple or pear to support the growers indirectly," Frank concludes.
For more information:
Frank Valckenier
Valckenier BVBA
10 Kerkhof Street
1760, Roosdaal-Pamel, Belgium
Tel: +32 (0) 475 682 125
Email: frank.valckenier@telenet.be