Yesterday, the Belgian cooperative BelOrta officially kicked off the new early cucumber season by selling the first of these cucumbers. Dutch grower Ties Verbaarschot supplied these, which the Belgian company, Fruithandel Sebrechts, bought.
Last year, BelOrta sold 122 million cucumbers destined for the fresh market. That was less than a year before because of reduced acreage and high energy costs. The cooperative also sold a million Crunchy King mini cucumbers. The industry purchased five million kg of cucumbers too.
More popular than before the pandemic
BelOrta's 2023 cucumber acreage will grow to 265 ha. Crunchy King mini cucumber and organic cucumbers will be available again this year.
Out-of-home use increased after the pandemic, so last year, slightly fewer vegetables were sold on the Belgian fresh market than during the pandemic. Cucumbers were, however, the exception, BelOrta reports.
These held up well overall, even recording higher consumption than before the pandemic. In 2019, consumption averaged just over one kilogram (1.02 kg) per person; in 2022, it was 1.32 kg, nearly a whole cucumber more over the year.
The hot summer - when people were more inclined to have fresh salads, including cucumber - caused this increased interest. More and more (younger) people consider cucumbers a healthy snack alternative too.
For more information:
BelOrta
120 Mechelsesteenweg
2860, Sint-Katelijne-Waver, BE
Tel: +32 (0) 155 51 111
Email: info@belorta.be
Website: www.belorta.be