"Strawberries volumes are better divided this autumn"

At the end of the strawberry season there is a positive atmosphere in the market. The supply is even and the prices are generally at a good level. This was said by Jan Engelen of Veiling Hoogstraten. "Usually there is a peak in the supply around this period, but this time the volumes are better divided in the autumn."

"Officially we're in production until the end of January and there are less volumes in the last weeks of the year. The glass season starts in September and the peak is usually around mid October. This isn't happening at the moment. This is positive, the prices are also higher at the moment compared to last year. Although, the prices went down a little today, and are around 2.38 per kilo. Last week the average price was still between 3 Euros and 3.50. But the better gradings of glass are still around that level, but the price of the smaller grading is a lot lower and this is pressuring the average price."

Pulling up of the export

"The expectations of the coming time are positive. At the moment there is a small relapse, but I think that the price will pull up again. We have had a difficult summer, we can learn a lesson from this. Quality was very sensitive and the weather was also a deal breaker. All these aspects made it difficult for growers and the trade, Hopefully next summer will go better."

"At the moment most is being exported, the inland market is letting go. There are volumes heading towards Scandinavia, France and England. We are seeing more holes in the market and Belgium and Holland can fill these. The export will pull up even more in the coming weeks."

For more information:
Jan Engelen
Veiling Hoogstraten
Loenhoutseweg 59
Hoogstraten - België
Tel: +32 3 3400233
Fax: +32 3 3147844
www.veilinghoogstraten.be