The blueberry season is in full swing at the Belgian mixed farm Mertens-Hal. "We began picking in the greenhouse two weeks ago," begins Tom Mertens. "However, supply-wise, things are currently unfortunately not looking good. The early varieties didn't get enough light last year, so we have about 40% less volume than other years."
Mertens-Hal, originally a pig farm, started cultivating blueberries in 2018. "My wife Jacqueline and I both wanted to try something completely new besides livestock production (pig breeding). We chose horticulture because, unlike livestock production, you work with finished products and can start offering something immediately. We ended up choosing blueberries and blackberries. Also, last year we began partnering with an insect farm. We always want to see how we can create added value," Tom says.
Blue fruit
They now have 6.5 hectares of blueberries and about 800m2 of blackberries. "We're, however, planning to expand in the fall. We'll have to see if we'll add more blueberries or opt for other types of fruit. That said, we'll focus on blue fruit. We don't do red."
Tom Mertens and his wife, Jacqueline Bresseleers
The company sells all its fruit via the nearby Hoogstraten cooperative."We work with them in almost everything we do regarding fruit, which works very well. Especially in times of crisis, it's important to know that you're still getting an income. The security a cooperative gives is wonderful and ensures we're somewhat less dependent on the volatile trade market's whims," explains Tom.
So far, this year's season seems to be another difficult one on the supply side. "Demand is nevertheless excellent. The weather is lovely, which of course, makes it even more regrettable that there are almost no volumes at present. It also makes for high prices for the time of year. But I assume the big players will wake up soon. Once they enter the market, supply will quickly increase, and prices will fall."
Later varieties do not pay
At Mertens-Hal, the blueberry season usually runs from about late May to late September. "This year, however, we're increasingly abandoning the late varieties, like Aurora. We'll slowly start working these out so we can focus more on the middle varieties," says Mertens.
"That's mainly because there's far too much competition towards the end of the season. Chile and Peru come to market earlier and earlier and with prices with which we cannot compete. Then it doesn't pay to put extra energy into costlier labor in the later months. That's almost impossible to make up."
"Those containers coming from South America mean Flemish retailers are quick to use blueberries as bargaining chips. But, Flemish blueberries are more of a niche product. The stores may want to carry blueberries, but only at overseas prices," Tom continues. "That's obviously not going to happen. That's why, during the later summer months, we'll focus more on blackberries and, in blueberries, mainly on the middle varieties."
A bit of an experience
"That means we can add a bit of experience, thus distinguishing ourselves. For example, people can come and pick their own blueberries for two months in the summer from our open-field orchard adjacent to our greenhouses. Then we can also share our story, which we very much want to do to garner buyers' respect for growers. Our blueberries may not be as cheap, but there's a story - of sustainability and hard work - around them that we like sharing," Tom concludes.
For more informatin:
Tom Mertens
Mertens-Hal
Hall 13, 2322 Hoogstraten, BE
Tel: +32 (0) 331 51 910
Email: info@mertenshallv.be