Flexibility required for ripening organic bananas

The organic share of bananas in Dutch banana ripening firm Van der Lem in Uitgeest is 25%. This relatively high percentage, according to CEO Marcel van der Lem, is due to the fact that the company excels in handling small batches. "We can handle such small amounts just fine. You could call it our speciality," says Marcel.

Van der Lem has long been active in the ripening of organic bananas. "We were one of the first to do this. We started at the request of an importer of organic products," says Marcel, who claims that the maturation of organic bananas takes even more flexibility and specialized care than that of conventional bananas. "Organic bananas are more susceptible to diseases. It is important to take into consideration the origin of the bananas, as the specific conditions may be of influence on the ripening process."

"Price war" 

Most of the bananas ripened at Van der Lem end up in retail stores. Currently however, bananas fetch very low prices at mainstream supermarkets in the Netherlands, a development also affecting the organic trade. "Due to the low prices of conventional bananas it’s becoming increasingly difficult for organic bananas because the price difference is too large. Consumers are apparently sensitive to the low prices of conventional bananas." 

During the first months of 2014, Van der Lem was faced with a shortage of organic bananas. "Such a shortage is not unusual in itself,” says Marcel, “except that this one lasted into March. As a result of the drought in Peru, exports were lower than normal. Water is very important for the banana and the water supply is not optimal.”

Marcel acknowledges that organic farming does entail more risks: "The banana plant is not only very sensitive, organic growers also have to combat insects and diseases. There is always the risk of some pathogen or another. At present, it’s no worse than normal. There have been times when it was way worse. "

More information:
Ven der Lem
Marcel van der Lem
Molenwerf 26
1911 DB Uitgeest
The Netherlands
T: +31 251 36 23 45
E: info@vdlem.nl

W: www.vdlem.nl