This winter, more Coöperatie Hoogstraten growers are growing TOVs under lights. Last year, there was hardly any lit cultivation due to high energy costs; this year, the lights have been switched on again in many places in Belgium. "It's certainly not at the level it was before the energy crisis, but we can supply our customers well again this winter," begins Bart Van Bael.
"That's for both specialty and standard products," continues Natalie Snijers. "Last year, quite a few growers opted for just a summer crop. There was also a slight transition from specialties to vine tomatoes. Now, however, there's a trend toward refocusing on special varieties. The first steps are being taken in resistant varieties, which is a true evolution. That provides more certainty in cultivation."
"Some growers will start harvesting the TOVs they grew under lights from week 51 already. This winter, we'll have above 30 hectares of lit vine tomato cultivation again; last year, that was barely five," says Natalie.
There is a strong focus on the Miss Perfect Délice, Sweetest Queen, and San Marzano specialty tomatoes. In the future, most of these San Marzano will be sold as Thomasso. At the recent Fruit Attraction, the cooperative and Tomeco presented the Thomasso to the general public, and much is expected from it. "That tomato variety was very well received, so we'll start rolling it out from weeks 12 and 13 in Belgian retail and certain export destinations."
The cooperative also sees the first glimmers of hope regarding the ToBRFV virus pressure. "It required plenty of attention, and there are still many concerns. Growers must work very hard to disinfect the greenhouses and limit the risks. However, resistant varieties have been developed in some segments. Still, it seems to take a while for resistant varieties to be available in certain smaller segments. We're generally cautiously optimistic about this development," Natalie explains.
Snacking is a growing market
The snack concept is a segment where Coöperatie Hoogstraten sees much potential. "It's increasingly gaining a place on the Belgian store shelves, with all types of vegetables. Mini tomatoes have been experiencing growth for a while, but snack cucumber and seedless snack bell pepper are becoming all the more popular, too."
"Retailers also want to present these in their totality. That's already happening in the Netherlands. More Belgian retailers are setting up special corners in their stores with different snack concepts, also to promote healthy eating. We consider this a future growth market," Natalie concludes.
For more information:
Bart Van Bael / Natalie Snijers
Coöperatie Hoogstraten
59 Loenhoutseweg
2320, Hoogstraten, BE
Tel.: +32 (0) 33 400 211
info@hoogstraten.eu
www.hoogstraten.eu