In the Netherlands, Westland Mushrooms recently completed its second expansion. "We had a new office built at height, increasing the office space six-fold. We'd been cramped for a long time, but we approached it professionally and are now fully prepared for the future," says general manager Harold Schuurmans.
The expansion was not a luxury, he says. "Mushroom consumption has been on the rise for years. We grew substantially again last year. Consumers seem to have rediscovered mushrooms, not only in supermarkets but in restaurants and greengrocers, too. Mushrooms are finding more customers across the board."
Westland Mushrooms presents itself as a one-stop shop for exotic products such as special mushrooms, sprouts, cresses, and vegetables. "We deliver our fresh products daily to exporters, retail and hospitality sector suppliers, professional market traders, and greengrocers. Several market vendors visit us weekly to get their stock. It makes me really proud when I see the wide range of products they display," Harold admits.
"Truffles have become indispensable in our assortment, and customers know where to find us for them. They can count on us to get fresh stock daily, and we supply them in all sizes and weights. Our peak sales period remains the colder months. After Easter, sales usually drop somewhat to make way for products like asparagus and soft fruit, But after the summer, mushroom demand quickly climbs again," says Harold.
"We, of course, face the same challenges as everyone. The rise in costs makes it harder to cover all expenses. Now, there's also the issue of containers from Asia no longer going through the Red Sea. But we'll find a solution for that, too. Fortunately, an extra week at sea doesn't jeopardize the mushrooms' shelf life."
This year, Jurgen van't Hoff joined Westland Mushrooms' commercial team. "He has years of experience in the organic sector, where we see increasing demand. We have the certifications and available range, so we hope to further grow this branch alongside our regular assortment," Harold concludes.
Jurgen van't Hoff and Harold Schuurmans
For more information:
Harold Schuurmans
Westland Mushrooms
12a Jogchem van der Houtweg
2678 AG, De Lier, NL
T: +31 (0) 174 240 334
D: +31 (0) 174 244 031
M: +31 (0) 618 805 431
[email protected]
www.westlandmushrooms.com