India
An example of a new market for apples is India. Veiling Haspengouw has been exporting to this country since 2011 and the sales are increasing every year. According to commercial director Etienne Leclère the export is going faster and faster. "There are enough mouths to feed but it is a learning process. They prefer typical round varieties in India and smaller sizes. There is competition for this from America. We also have to learn how to best access India, as they consume and sell in a very different way to us. Finally, it's important to always send superior quality, the products are on their way for 30 days."
A box of apples for India
Further growth for India
New markets mean hard work and a lot of investment. "The prices here are low at that the moment, but going to India adds extra costs. Shipping is around 15 cents per kilo. There is also the import tax to India, which is around 51% of the value. When the product ends up with the final customer, it's reasonably expensive. But little remains for the grower here." Etienne certainly sees more growth for the future. "I think the export to India can certainly grow. There was a huge push from here this year, as we have few other alternative. It was lucky for us that their own production was disappointing this year, the self-sufficiency was around zero from December onward."
Pear market
As far as pears are concerned Belgium can't complain, according to the commercial director. "Despite the messages of doom at the start of the season there is relatively good demand at the moment. We notice that the 'pear hype' has caught on in our country and the consumption has increased." Most still goes abroad. "The sales to countries like Scandinavia, England, France and Germany is going well." He expects the second half of the season to go well too. "There is still some stock that has to go, but on the other hand, less is coming from Argentina to Europe this season."
Apple market
Etienne indicated that apples are having more difficulty. "Jonagold remains tough. This variety has been having difficulties for a while, but in a year in which the production is very high you feel it most. When there is a smaller production there's still the industry, so there is a bottom of the market." The industry market has gone flat, he says. "The old harvest still had to be cleared out at the start of the season. This was for prices between 2 and 5 cents, so very low. The price formation is now a little higher, between 10 and 12 cents. It still doesn't cover the costs, so growers who still have fruit aren't really prepared to sell their products to the industry."
It's not just Jonagold, Golden is also feeling the pressure. "The smaller sizes aren't selling. We are also hampered in sales of this variety by Poland. They are sold there for 14 to 20 cents and it starts at 25 cents in Belgium. As far as price is concerned you can't beat it." It would all be more positive if Russia was back on the market. "Russia was also a good market for big apples and we're missing it."
For more information:
Etienne Leclère
Veiling Haspengouw
Tongersesteenweg 152
3800 Sint-Truiden
Tel: +32 11 670 611
Fax: +32 11 672 776
www.veilinghaspengouw.be
For more information:
Etienne Leclère
Veiling Haspengouw
Tongersesteenweg 152
3800 Sint-Truiden
Tel: +32 11 670 611
Fax: +32 11 672 776
www.veilinghaspengouw.be