It seems the fear of an oversupply at the beginning of the new top fruit season has come to pass. There are currently no peaks, says Ludger Nollet of the Belgian fruit company of the same name. "We're quiet. The new season has started, but apples and pears are being sold everywhere. The market's really saturated, so we're also selling less," he states.
Ludger does not see things improving any time soon, either. "This will continue for the next month. The last apples are being picked now, and even though their quality's lower, they're being thrown on the market right away. These are serious quantities and will pressure the market for some time. Because of the all-too-familiar situation we're all in, demand can't keep up; not for a while anyway, I'm afraid."
Neither is there much to celebrate price-wise, adds Ludger. "The top-quality Jonagolds are still fetching €0.50 to €0.55, but, otherwise, we're working for a pittance. The pears are doing a little better. The good sizes go for between €0.70 and €0.80. However, there are still plenty of lower-quality pears. Unlike apples, pears entered an empty market, but that's not helping much, for now. We can't complain, considering the present tough time everyone's facing. It could all be much worse, but it could also definitely be much better," he concludes.
For more information:
Ludger Nollet
Nollet Fruit
Tel: +32 (0) 224 57 281
Email: Ludger.nollet@skynet.be