The presentation of the annual figures of The Greenery took place in Schipluiden at Kwekerij 't Woudt. Paul van Koppen and Ed van der Knaap grow vine cherry tomatoes in various locations on a total area of 9.5 hectares. The Greenery markets the fine vine cherry tomatoes under the brand Chica. This own brand is profitable. "We have had relatively less bother from the EHEC crisis than our fellow tomato growers. After five or six weeks most of the bother was over for us", says Paul van Koppen.
After a small test in 2005 Paul and Ed slowly scaled up the variety Juanita of De Ruiter Seeds. The tomato has a diameter between 18 and 27 mm. The fruits weigh 10 to 14 grams per piece. Every bunch, which is practically poker straight, contains 15 to 20 fruits on average. The green parts of the vine stay fresh extra long, so they can hold the fruit well. "But we mainly focus on the taste of this variety", says Paul. "And the consumers like it."
Paul van Koppen and Philip Smits
Of the unlit cultivation 25/26 kilos are harvested yearly per square meter. In Holland there are two other growers and in Belgium there are another two growers who grow Juanita. The growers, who are connected to various sales organisation, intensively contact each other and have agreed with the seedhouse to grow in a controlled manner. "And everyone is keeping to this. Our tomatoes mainly find their way to the UK, France, and Scandinavia."
The growers were in a supermarket Magazine this week
The grower indicates that the energy cost price has increased a lot this year. At the moment we're doing tests with vital water.