"Florida Grapefruit appreciated by connoiseurs despite high price"

Van der Lans International from Baarn receive a container of Florida-grapefruit every week. "We are the biggest in the market, but our clients expect us to offer Florida-Grapefruit" Jan van der Lans says.

"The taste and the brix of Florida-Grapefruit is more appreciated by customers than grapefruit from Europe or Israel. The fruit from Israel, Turkey and Egypt may look better, but with grapefruit the internal quality is more important."

Of course the quality of the grapefruit demands a price. At the moment the price is from 19 to 22 Euro depending on the size for grapefruit from Florida, whilst for grapefruit from Israel only half of this is paid. "Traditionally prices are high at the beginning of the season, after which the price decreases somewhat in December and increases again later in the season" Jan says. "In Florida picking is in accordance with orders, as a result of which the fruit is on the trees for longer. Therefore there is more supply in December and January of large sizes (36-40)."

Van der Lans receive the varieties Star Ruby and Dark Red. The last is a collective name for grapefruit with dark red pulp and a red flush. "Most of the volume we supply to the specialised wholesale in Europe. A small part goes to the retail" Jan tells. The supply of Florida citrus is at a much lower level than a few years ago. Because of citrus canker, which attacked the trees in Florida, many trees were cut down. The controls of the fruit are very severe. There is also demand from all sides. In this way a lot of fruit goes to Asia, the Middle East and Japan."

Jan is under the impression that the consumption of grapefruit in the Netherlands is decreasing. "For us the price and quality from other areas is the biggest threat. The Turkish grapefruit is a lot cheaper, but not as nice. Clients will have to be prepared to pay. We also have Egyptian citrus in the assortment during the period from December till May. We have clients for all. Shortly that season will also start" the importer concludes.

For more information:
Van der Lans International B.V.
Jan van der Lans
18, Gerrit van der Veenlaan
3743 DN Baarn
Tel: 035 6422622
Fax: 035 6422644
www.vanderlans.com