Now that we have reached week 44, the Dutch greenhouse vegetable season is rapidly coming to an end. Many retail contracts for Dutch greenhouse vegetables conclude between weeks 40 and 44, after which the switch is made to imports from Spain or Morocco. "As a result, you see a bit more Dutch product, mainly tomatoes and peppers, appearing on the markets for a few weeks," says Philip van Geest of Van Geest International (VGI).
"The product tends to show slightly more variation in colour during those final weeks due to uneven ripening. In other words, during the main season, it looks a little better. But the value for money is still good, and so these products often sell at slightly lower prices, depending on demand. Demand in the wholesale markets has been strong in recent months, but the impact of directly supplied imports will now start to be felt more clearly in the Netherlands," the trader expects.
© Van Geest international
"The Dutch aubergine season is almost completely over, and Spain is already in full production. The same goes for courgettes. Round tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, and beef tomatoes will continue for another one, two, or possibly three weeks, while the supply of vine tomatoes is still fairly steady due to the overlap between exposed and autumn cultivation," says Philip.
"Dutch cucumbers are still widely available, although that won't last long, and it must be said they're still better than the Spanish ones. It's well known that the first Spanish batches are often lighter in colour, and that has been proven again this year. The supply of peppers is now drying up very quickly. There could even be shortages, partly due to thrips problems already occurring in Spain. There's a bit more, often slightly smaller, green pepper coming from the Netherlands, as some growers choose to clear out their greenhouses to close the season."
For more information:
Philip van Geest
Van Geest International
Jogchem van der Houtweg 41
2678 HA De Lier
Tel: +31 (0) 174-514300
[email protected]
www.vgibv.nl
