"Belgium: "Good demand for large calibre plums"

In December it was still quite quiet in the stone fruit market, but at the moment more volumes are arriving from South Africa and it's starting to get going. According to Eric Dierck of Beltran the plum market is good at the moment. "It's going a lot better than last year. We're supplying various varieties at the moment such as Sunkiss, Sapphire, Black Egg, Fortune and Ruby Red, and in bigger sizes."

Beltran: warehouse and coldstore manager: El - Bekkay M'Saad with Sunkiss (yellow plums) and Fortune (red plums) from the brand La Priére from the Supplier Rubisco South Africa.

According to the importer there's a good demand for the larger calibres in Belgium. "The prices for the larger plums are also better compared to our neighbours. On the other hand, they have better demand and better prices for the smaller plums. We're also satisfied with the quality of the products. Sometimes there's some skin damage, but the taste is excellent. As for the supply, I expect enough of the smaller sizes in the next few weeks, but it will be a little harder for the larger sizes."

Eric indicated that the season had a difficult start. "This happens every year in the stone fruit season. It is of course, officially a summer product. Luckily, up till now we've been spared snow and extreme cold. The weather's mild, so stone fruit keeps selling. But the volumes that are being sold now, can't be compared to those in the summer period."

Sunkiss and Fortune

The people at Beltran observe that the stone fruit is being sold for different prices at the market in Brussels. "Here in Belgium, it's not just looks that count, the taste is very important too. Our customers taste the products and if the taste is good, you get the price you asked for. The reverse is true too, a bad taste gets a bad price."

The importer hopes that the market remains the way it is for the rest of the season. "With the prices that we're making now, and viewing what will still arrive, in volumes, I think that the exporter as well as the importer can be satisfied. But a lot will depend on when the larger volumes of grapes arrive on the market. They could drive out the stone fruit."

For more information:
Eric Dierick
Group Achiel De Witte
Beltran NV
Werkhuizenkaai 112/154
Magazijn 14/15/16
1000 Brussel - Belgium
Tel : + 32 (0)2 216 45 39
Mob:+ 32 (0)476 96 97 45
Fax :+ 32 (0)2 245 70 43