"Netherlands: "The number of harvested kilo's very disappointing especially with Elstar"

The harvested top fruit volumes are rather disappointing in South Limburg. This according to director Michel Schrijnemaekers of the Cooperatieve Fruitveiling Zuid Limburg, in which about 200 growers are involved. "The pear harvest is rather on the level (70% compared to last year), but the apple harvest is far behind. Especially the Elstar harvest is very disappointing. There was a weak first picking and the expectation is that the rest will be picked quickly."

The present price level is between 80 cents and one Euro for Elstar and the Conference pears fetch a price of between 70 and 95 cents. "In a normal year these prices would be very good, but with this small harvest these prices give a wrong impression. There is definitely no hallelujah atmosphere. Because growers had a bad year last year, they now want to sell as much as possible, but next month supply may well be a lot smaller."

For more information:
Cooperatieve Fruitveiling Zuid-Limburg
33, Aan de Fremme
6269 BK Margraten
Tel: 0031 43 458588
Fax: 0031 43 4588599
[email protected]
www.veilingzl.nl