As it gets colder and darker in Belgium, sales of 'typical winter vegetables' steadily pick up. Despite the rising trend to sell more pumpkins outside the fall months, it remains the product of choice when Jack Frost is nipping at your heels. Such is the case with grower Jeroen de Ridder, who has finished harvesting his pumpkins. "Our yields were excellent, and there's already much demand for the new crop," he begins.
Jeroen and his wife, Ilse, have a roughly 64-hectare farm where they cultivate pumpkins. Jeroen, nicknamed Jeroen Pompoen, has loved this vegetable from an early age. "From childhood, I grew different types of pumpkins: small, big, green, orange. Nothing was too crazy." In 2007, the passionate grower decided to take it up professionally. Initially, he planted kiwi berries.
But soon, pumpkins became the company's main focus. They now cultivate some 25 varieties; there is even a special piece of land to experiment with dozens of varieties. "Most of our acreage, however, consists of Hokkaido and butternut squash, though we have many other varieties such as Kobucha, spaghetti, and gray pumpkins, too," says Jeroen.
Large sizes, but increasing demand for smaller pumpkins
He and Coöperatie Hoogstraten recently held a special day to boost pumpkins' popularity outside the winter months. Still, demand remains highest when the weather turns. That has now happened, and the grower, who mainly supplies the Belgian market, is optimistic about the new season. "We managed to achieve good quality yields, though the early September heat did some damage. That was, of course, unusual for that time of year."
"The pumpkins had to adjust somewhat. Nevertheless, I expect few problems in marketing. The only thing that could be a slight issue is that all the varieties are slightly larger. People often associate that with a good harvest, but that's often not desirable in pumpkins. There's more market demand for smaller one to two-kilo sizes. We're going to exceed those sizes this year," explains Jeroen.
Jeroen and Ilse De Ridder-Heyrman
Sales are going according to plan so far, he says. "Demand came early this year because of the rainy weather of August. Yet, the hot weeks of September show how weather-dependent pumpkin still is. Demand bottomed out immediately but has since recovered fairly well."
"Sales are generally always quite steady in the winter. Pumpkin became more prominent in the pandemic and still is. It just takes certain weather conditions to get people thinking about pumpkins. The cooperative and we are thus working hard to adjust that consumer mindset," says De Ridder.
Lots of variety
According to him, that perhaps poses the most significant challenge for pumpkins. "People look at them and think, 'soup,' preferably butternut soup. But, I loudly advocate using other types of pumpkin prepared in other ways. The rise of fresh packs helps tremendously as people start experimenting more with pumpkins."
"In Belgium, that trend's still lagging a bit. People still often want the best pumpkin to make soup," Jereon continues. "It's a good trend; though those packs often still include butternut squash. Their shape means they fit better. Try another variety that would be my advice. You'll be pleasantly surprised."
First harvester
This season, Jeroen began using the first pumpkin harvesting machine in Europe. It is used mainly for Hokkaido pumpkins and is a true godsend, he admits. "Since they're so fragile, butternut squashes are still a little tricky. But it works great for the other varieties. It's far more efficient and saves plenty of labor, which is no longer a luxury in these times," Jeroen concludes.
The first harvester
For more information:
Jeroen Pompoen
3 Heerweg
9170, Sint-Pauwels, BE
Te: +32 (0) 484 738 664
Email: ilse.jeroen@hotmail.com
Website: www.jeroenpompoen.be