"More and more Spanish stone fruit growers react to market demand"

The Spanish stone fruit season has not as yet started at Bakker & Leenheer BV. Normally the first peaches and nectarines come from the region of Sevilla. "But we never buy these," Erik-Jan Thur of Bakker & Leenheer explains, "there are no large volumes as yet, but I was in Spain two weeks ago and I must say there will be sufficient product."

"Paraguao's will again increase in volume this year, just as the area of cherries. There will be a bit less peaches and the supply of nectarines will be about the same as last year. Also the first apricots of the variety Valenciano are on the market already again," sums the importer up.

"What does strike me is that more and more growers want to anticipate the demand from the market. They really focus on varieties and sizes required by the customer and do not just plant peaches, nectarines and cherries at random and then think: "we will see", Erik-Jan continues. "For many this year will be a matter of life or death, because many a grower looks back to last year with suspicion."

For more information:
Bakker en Leenheer
Erik-Jan Thur
Tel: 0031 180 645583
Fax: 0031 180 613622
www.bakkerenleenheer.com