"The blueberry season started later than usual this year, but it has been satisfactory. We normally start around the 15th of June and it was the 1st of July this time," says Theo Douven from the company of the same name. "This meant that multiple supplies overlapped each other. For example, production arrived from both Germany and Poland which meant that we were not able to achieve prime prices in the beginning. Despite that, the products did well in the market. The production is at an average level and the quality of the blueberries is good."
"The prices were at a usual level from the beginning, which is around 5 Euro. They dropped back down after that to 3.5 to 4. We can say the we have prime pricing at the moment because they are now above 6 Euro." Theo expects that the season should last for another three weeks or so. It could last an extra week, but it appears that the volumes from the southern hemisphere are going to come early this year."
Larger packaging against lower prices
"The berries have been promoted well this year. I have stood in various supermarkets as a grower to tell the story to the consumers. Our growing company is fully sustainable and certified as a Eco-label. Many visitors asked about the difference between Eco-label and organic berries this year. The focus is no longer on the introduction of the products because they are already familiar with them. Many consumers were wondering why some of the blueberries in stores are sour. This is due to the fact that the blueberries were picked too soon and no longer ripen. It is of extreme importance that blueberries are only picked once they are ripe, but not everyone sticks to this." In general, products from van Douven are branded with their house brand 'B-berry'. If they are provided via MijnBoer (Smeding) the product is branded with the name of the grower. "We have offered larger packaging this year in order to make the portions larger against the lower prices."Two years ago, Douven made a strategic decision to focus on four points: advances, leaving cultivation, processing and shortening the chain. "This has paid off and we have grown rapidly. By having our own sorting and packaging line we can shorten the chain and proved a tailored service for our clients. The shortening of the chain has led to good business contacts."
As of this year, Douven supplies blueberries to Smeding, a fresh partner from Sligro. "The question was if we were able to deliver berries year round. This all happened at fast pace and we now have contact with suppliers in the southern hemisphere to make year round delivery possible. We will have our own cold stores in the future and will have the berries packed by a third party. We are optimistic!"
For more information:
Theo Douven
B-Berry
Herenbosweg 24
5962 NX Horst
Tel: 0031 653 154 459
www.b-berry.nl
Theo Douven
B-Berry
Herenbosweg 24
5962 NX Horst
Tel: 0031 653 154 459
www.b-berry.nl