In the Netherlands, P. Seelen has received the new season's first Turkish pomegranates. "They look good. Although we started quite early, the pomegranates are already nicely colored", says Rene Leenders. The Turkish pomegranates supply will generally be somewhat lower, says the importer. "The first spring blossoms drowned. So there'll be slightly lower yields this year. The sizes are also a bit disappointing. Fortunately, the weather is nice and dry now, during harvesting. That bodes well for the rest of the season."
The first pomegranates arrive in plastic crates. When the premium quality ones arrive, they will be repackaged in Tsjakka branded boxes.
P. Seelen gets fresh pomegranates loads from Turkey two or three times a week. The trading company has always been active mainly as a vegetable export. It, however, stumbled upon this product a few years back via Turkish tomatoes. Now, they have access to their own export office in Turkey. "We now control everything, which suits us very well. The demand for Turkish products is increasing from all sides. We don't keep stock. But we can deliver the entire Turkish fruit and vegetable package to order."
Rene sees Turkish pomegranates demand increasing every year. "We only do the Turkish product. And the Hicas variety is especially popular. There's more demand for those every year. Especially for the large sizes."
"We supply mainly German wholesalers and eatery suppliers. But we have clients in the Scandinavian countries and the United Kingdom too."
"Turkish pomegranate prices are higher this year. But that's because raw materials and packaging costs rose. Depending on their size, they sell for between €1,60 and €1,80/kg," Rene concludes.
For more information:
Rene Leenders
P. Seelen
118 A Venrayseweg
5928 RH Venlo, NL
Tel: +31 (0) 773 873 250
Email: rene@pseelen.nl
Website: www.pseelen.nl