Volumes around normal year
The strawberries were 10 days later than last year due to the colder weather. "Although, last year it was extremely good weather and the volumes arrived a lot earlier. So we're heading toward a normal year", indicates Jos. "In volumes we've now had about a fifth compared to the numbers of last season". Despite the scarcity on the market there's a lower price forming at the moment. This is partially due to the celebration in Norway, and the lesser weather."The greenhouse cultivation is ending and slowly the strawberries from the tunnels are arriving. The open ground strawberries are also later than usual. "On the other hand, this is an advantage. The different cultivations connect better." On the subject of areas not much has changed compared to last year. The greenhouse area is pretty much the same and in tunnels and open ground there have been slight extensions. The most striking thing this year is the extension of the everbearer Portola. 25% more of this was grown this season and it is being done more under shelter. More protective cultivation is being done for everbearers so they are less dependant on the weather."
English market reduced by preference domestic cultivation
Jos doesn't expect new sales markets to arrive this season. "This is unchanged. Scandinavia is our main market and we also supply a lot to Russia. A part is also sent to England. This market has been reduced in the last few years because the preference is turning more towards domestic production. The rest of our fruit goes to European countries. We expect to supply to Spain, Portugal, and Italy within a day or 14."Positive result for 2011
The yearly figures of Veiling Borgloon from 2011 were also announced. "It was a difficult year but despite a relapse in the turnover we ended with a positive result. Partially due to our own packaging department we can play into demand flexibly and work cost reducibly", says Jos.The most important products for Veiling Borgloon are pears, apples, strawberries, berries, cherries, and plums. For pears a turnover of nearly 20 million Euro was made. The supply of pears was 43.5 million in 2011. For apples 34 million kilos was supplied and for strawberries 6.7 million kilos.
For more information:
Jos Craemers
Veiling Borgloon
T. 0031 12/670 100
F. 0031 12/745 071
Kernielerweg 59
3840 Borgloon - België
www.eburon.be