Belgium: Slow strawberry market

The strawberry market is currently fairly quiet, "Supply in Belgium is not very high," says Jackie Boussier from Boussier exporting company. "Export has slowed down for us because Norway has it's own production now." Norway is Boussier's biggest customer, "Usually, Norway starts importing from us in early August, but this year they have more of their own production, so the export will start a few weeks later this year. We are now only selling some small volumes to Germany."

Prices

Prices differ depending on the variety, "The Elsanta strawberry grown in the greenhouse is going for 1.80 to 1.90 per half kilo. The outside grown Elsanta is going for 1.05 to 1.06. Portola fluctuates in price around one Euro, and the very best go for 1.30 to 1.40." Jackie expects the export to Norway to start picking up in a few weeks, "Production will also increase too then. The refrigerated plants will then be put into production as well. Production is fairly low right now."

Top fruit season

The top fruit season begins again in September, "It is difficult to predict what will happen this season. Last year was disappointing because of the Russian boycott. Many exporters that usually send their goods to Russia were stuck in 'our' waters. The new markets that exporters have found are not nearly as large as Russia, in terms of outgoing volumes. Even with the boycott there was still quite a bit that made it into Russia, via other means, but they have become stricter there. The risk for exporters has become higher."

For more information:
Jackie Boussier N.V.
Colenstraat 11a
3840 Borgloon - België
Tel: +32-12741991
www.belfrutex.be
jackie@boussier.be