The Spanish strawberry supply is struggling. As widely reported, the cold weather continues to grip that country. And, supply from the Low Countries remains limited for the time being. Still, in Belgium, Frank Valckenier of Groothandel Michel is looking forward to a nice summer. "I assume the Belgian and Dutch strawberry volumes will start increasing slightly from now on, but it's hard to say what prices will then do. It all depends on supply and if consumers will and can pay for the product in these difficult times," he says.
Frank has had an extraordinary winter. He specializes in Belgian soft fruit and was, thus, faced with a sharply reduced supply of local strawberries. Added to that, he merged with fellow traders at Groothandel Michel as of January 1. "It was a deliberate decision so we could survive the 'quiet' winter. So far, it's been going well, but that was, after all, why we united the companies. It's also partly because top and imported fruit sales continue to run well."
"We could offer Belgian and Dutch strawberries throughout the winter. Some of our customers cling to that quality, so you want to be able to continue offering these products. There were, obviously, not huge sales like in the summer, but we still sold what we got without any difficulty," explains Valckenier.
He has had Spanish strawberries in his assortment since around New Year's. "Though, due to well-publicized problems, that supply is also still limited."
"That kept prices high but stable. Now it remains to be seen what the coming weeks/months will bring. Supply will increase, but I don't dare make any price predictions. The market's too volatile for that," Frank admits.
"Along with strawberries, there was an undiminished demand for raspberries this whole winter. But, for the same reason, that supply, too, is limited. We haven't yet received the usual large volumes. The cold weather in the countries of origin, like Spain and Morocco, is partly to blame. However, transport from Morocco has also been rather challenging, with long delays before the product arrives in Belgium. We just have to wait for warmer, nicer weather, so we can fully focus on selling soft fruit again," Frand concludes.
For more information:
Frank Valckenier
Groothandel Michel nv
22-23 Werkhuizenkaai
Warehouse E123/124/129/130
1000, Brussels, Belgium
Tel: +32 (0) 224 17 044
Email: stefanbosmans@michelnv.be