"EU: "Soft fruit stays best seller for the holidays"

The winter season is in full swing. The holidays are coming and this makes for a more specific and changing consumer demand. Also at Wholesaler Sebrechts it is noticeable, say Nathalie and Roger Sebrechts. "Mushrooms for example, we eat all year round, but at Christmas there is more choice. Both traditional white mushrooms, chestnut mushrooms and oyster are asked for by our customers every day. Every year at the beginning of the game season the sale of wild mushrooms also starts. Then we expand our product range with 20 different species. This ranges from a simple beech mushroom to the most special varieties."

White mushroom remains popular

"Regarding sales, it is going a little slower and is a bit more difficult than last year," says Roger. "Although the wild mushrooms are generally less expensive than in 2011, less are being sold. The crisis is one of the possible causes. This year, the production is high and therefore the prices at a lower level. As far as the quality is concerned we and our customers are very satisfied. As for the holidays in terms of wild mushrooms the mini-shiitake, girolle and Chantarelle are the most popular. Yet the traditional white mushroom is and remains the most popular. Expectations for the holidays are positive. The orders coming in nicely."

Nathalie says that this year's everyday way of cooking is a real trendsetter. "People want to be in the kitchen themselves. This is also due to the many cooking programs in the media. Home cooking also means fresh fruit and vegetable purchases. Fresh herbs in pots, such as Basil, Chives, Coriander and Rosemary, are very well bought and the various sprounting vegetables. Coloured leaf salads like Lollo Bionda and Lollo Rossa have good demand. As for the fruit department, soft fruit is a best seller during the holidays. Belgian strawberries are currently on the rise, but also a first for the holidays. Other products that are in demand, are lychees, French kiwis and of course Spanish citrus."

"Fruit and vegetable wholesaler Sebrechts wishes everyone happy Holidays!"

For more information:
Groothandel Sebrechts
Groothandelsmarkt Antwerpen
Kielsbroek 4
2020 Antwerpen
+32 (0)3 237 41 92
sebrechts.dirk@skynet.be