It isn't just European decisions that are being made in aftermath of the boycott. Every European country is dealing with the consequences in their own way. The too large volume of tomatoes in Belgium is being handled through interventions. Jos van Dessel of Veiling BelOrta says that they believe it is important to pull up the price image of tomatoes. "Together with exporters and supermarkets we want to bring our product to the consumer as well as we can. Everyone in Europe can see the value of product rising due to this and that they shouldn't continue to sell for dumping prices. The prices on the clock have gone up well."
Rising prices
He indicates that normally not that many tomatoes would be heading to Russia at the moment, but this would change over the next few weeks. "This is why we are looking for new market with the exporters, but it isn't easy. It can take weeks or months." Tomato growers are in a difficult position. "Over the last two weeks we have deposited 15 to 20% and at the moment there isn't that much production on the market. The result is that the price is now around 50/55 cents. The prices has gone from 20 cents to the current level in a week. This is a good build up. Other products such as pepper, cauliflower, aubergines and cucumbers have a reasonably normal market situation at the moment."
He says he is concerned about the near future. "There will be more production all over Europe. The tomato growers certainly still have to supply for a while and other products will also have difficulties. You are now betting supply from a lot of different countries in Europe and more competition everywhere. It doesn't help a normal market situation." He indicates that the Netherlands is handling the 'tomato problem' differently. "They are stocking a lot of tomatoes, but if they didn't, you would have a much faster market regulation. The downside for Dutch growers is that the Dutch exporters buy from us. We take a share from the market and make sure that there is only fresh product that isn't stocked. We have to pull up the price image of tomatoes and form a trend in the market that our products are worth it!"
For more information:
Jos van Dessel
Veiling BelOrta
Mechelsesteenweg 120
2860 St-Katelijne-Waver - Belgium
Telephone: +32 15 55 11 11
Telefax: +32 15 55 06 01
www.belorta.be
jos.vandessel@belorta.be
For more information:
Jos van Dessel
Veiling BelOrta
Mechelsesteenweg 120
2860 St-Katelijne-Waver - Belgium
Telephone: +32 15 55 11 11
Telefax: +32 15 55 06 01
www.belorta.be
jos.vandessel@belorta.be