The supply of Spanish mandarins is running behind previous years. "Our suppliers indicate that they expect much less volume until week 47/48. There are mainly small sizes on the market, which means that the price of the larger sizes will increase," says Richard Bevelander of De Groot of Dommele.
"Sales are doing well. Varieties such as Okitsus and Satsumas find their way easily into the market. It hasn't even really been mandarin weather until now. It was still too hot for a long period," said Richard. De Groot van Dommele receives the mandarins in the private brands of Marie Jose, Nummer5 and Jugosas.
"The quality and taste of the mandarins is good and the fruit is also beautiful in colour. We also received the first Spanish hand oranges during this week. We usually wait longer with these, so that the fruit can really develop in taste and in colour. We continue with the South African Valencia's until we receive the first Salustiana's," says Richard.
De Groot van Dommele focuses on sales on the domestic market and leaves the export to their parent organisation, De Groot International. "Our customer portfolio is very diverse and are spread throughout the Netherlands. Our Cash & Carry locations in Breda and Hedel, mainly have market vendors, vegetable specialist shops and traders.
Our telephonic sales team serves other segments in the market; including fellow wholesalers, traders, cutting and food service companies. With our modern banana ripening, we attract a variety of customers and can excel in the market very well. "
Johan Welings with the first Spanish peppers
The Spanish leafy vegetable season also has the necessary start-up problems. "Normally, the Dutch and Spanish seasons overlap, but there is currently a gap in the supply of endives and spinach," says Johan Welings, one of Groot van Dommele's vegetable specialists. The offer will be limited in the next two weeks, after which the Spanish offer will increase."
The Spanish greenhouse season is also approaching, but according to Johan, the Spanish suppliers are not yet so satisfied on shipping to Holland as higher prices are being reached on the local market. "But Dutch cultivation is now decreasing rapidly, so that in the case of peppers and cucumbers, we can quickly switch to the Spanish product."
For more information:
De Groot van Dommele
Richard Bevelander 
T: +31 (0)76 5307000
M: +31 (0)6 43877088
richard@vandommele.nl
www.vandommele.nl