NL: Pepper prices reasonable

The first green Dutch peppers were supplied by Valstar Holland during the first week of the year already. After about eight weeks the Dutch red peppers also followed. In addition Valstar Holland offer special pepper varieties as well, such as Habanero and Jalapeño. This in cooperation with sister company Eminent.

"At the beginning of the year prices were immediately at a good level" Leroy Philipsen of Valstar, who sell peppers under the hallmark Via Nova, says ."And these prices remained good and stable. Import peppers from Israel and Spain were not of very good quality and the Dutch peppers were only available in limited volumes. In the meantime supply of red peppers has increased and as a result prices decreased a bit. The price of green peppers is even a few Euro per kg. below that."

The difference in price between red and green peppers has led many growers to choose to let the peppers colour red. Leroy therefore expects the supply of red peppers to increase within a few weeks. Demand is at a good level. As always lots of peppers go to the United Kingdom, but Scandinavia is also a good customer."

According to Leroy the area early peppers from heated cultivation is comparable to last year. "The area peppers open ground cultivation is still unknown. The next few weeks will show to what extent these often smaller growers will choose pepper cultivation or a different one."

For more information:
Valstar Holland
Leroy Philipsen
110, ABC Westland
2685 DB Poeldijk
Tel: 0174-530800
www.valstar.nl