"To import is essential for Willem Dijk AGF"

Wholesaler Willem Dijk has grown over the last few years and now also imports and exports for themselves. Citrus is an especially important import product. How did Willem as a wholesaler come to import and export themselves? "First of all we find it important to be different from our colleagues in the Netherlands" Willem van Dijk Sr. says. In addition we cannot as a wholesaler remain dependent on our present group of customers, we want to grow. Therefore we have been present on the German market for some years already, a decision, which brought grist to our mill. Our advantage is that we are only 5km. away from the border."

 

Willem Dijk jr with melons from Amador 

"For us import is essential, without import we would not exist." Apart from importing themselves Willem Dijk also does business directly with horticulturists and fruit growers in the Netherlands and southern neighbours. "All this because of quality and freshness" says Willem.

 

Willem Dijk is busy as far as import destinations are concerned. "Spanish citrus is important now, but we also import Italian vegetables. In addition Piel de Sapo and watermelons from Spain of quality mark Amador. Next year we start with Spanish stone fruit of hallmark Zuidfruit. We are also busy with strawberries." During the coming years Willem Dijk also has plans to extend the import plans to include overseas. "This is a new challenge for junior" he mentions with a laugh.

 

When talking about export Willem Dijk is active in two countries. "We export on a small scale to Ireland and to Germany in higher volumes. There is a good demand and it is going very well with our own import brand." 

"A few years ago we started with Hartenboer and Van Dommelen and that went well. But we wanted to add another brand and started looking ourselves at a number of suppliers. That was a difficult search." We tried various brands and joined trial periods. There were various issues we ran into. With a certain brand we, for instance, had to assist with packing and weighing. With another Spanish brand top quality was not supplied, although the price charged was for top quality. Finally, after a lot of jolts and pushing we found our brands. At the moment we have two brands, The A-brand Filosofo and the second brand Zuidfruit. Both of them are doing extremely well! Willem mentions that there are many advantages with own imports. "We are close to the fire, have less expenses, fresh trade and lower prices. A a result we are competitive,"

 

"Filosofo is really our top brand" Willem stresses. "We pay much attention to the aftercare and the quality is really tops. Also to Germany we export a lot of Filosofo. The difference with the B-brand is that there are differences in packing, weight, damages and the shape of the orange. For a quality product those extra controls are worthwhile. Also the durability is a lot longer and there are no rotten ones."

 

"Our other brand Zuidfruit we also found after a lot of looking. The external looks and the packing are less than Filosofo, but taste is first class. We met the off-loader of Zuidfruit in Andalusia and we never let go of him." Filosofo and Zuidfruit are both available in various packings.

 

Transport is only threat

According to Willem there are only a few threats with Spanish imports. "We were successful with what we sought in Spain and on this we can build further. The only threat is transport. It is difficult to find the correct manner in which to move our products. Sea voyage prices are good, but not everything arrives in first class condition in the Netherlands. It is a challenge to control this properly. Transport by road is still the best, but is also somewhat more expensive."

For more information:
Willem Dijk AGF
1-11, Het Wolbert
7547 RA Enschede
Tel: +31 534325800
www.willemdijk.nl