"EU: "No bottom prices in softfruit market"

 

"Blueberries are mainly in short supply because of the weather conditions of last winter. My expectation is that the price will increase when we continue with the South American season," Ron says. "Also the sale of red currants is going extremely well. A lot of berries are stored in the cells, but if the present demand is to be satisfied there will not be a single berry left at Christmas.

The blackberries have suffered most as a result of the weather conditions, according to Ron. "The supply of blackberries is a lot smaller and also late. The supply of Chester blackberries is only starting now, but price-wise this is favourable for the growers," according to the fruit grower. The price of blackberries is about one Euro and Ron expects that this will increase.

 

Raspberries are not troubled by weather conditions. Ron expects that the supply will reach a peak in September resulting in some pressure on the price. At the moment prices are above average.

 

"In general the seasons in other European countries, such as Scandinavia, have also been shorter with the result that for us the demand for soft fruit was bigger, whether of Dutch origin or not," Ron explains. "Furthermore there is also more demand and a market for organic soft fruit. In the Netherlands this is not as important, but in the United Kingdom and Scandinavia more and more organic-shops are appearing. If this trend continues I expect a considerable increase in organic or sustainable cultivation within a few years in Western Europe."

 

For more information:
Fruit World Breda
IABC 5102
4814 RN Breda
Tel.: 0032 76 523 15 60
Fax: 0032 76 520 63 14
www.fruitworld.nl