It's December, and at the Limburgse Tuinbouw Veiling (LTV), the strawberry season is as good as over. "This week, the last volumes are supplied again," says Petra Wautraets. She looks back on the season with satisfaction. "I think the growers are positive. The price hasn't had too many highs and lows. The price is still good at the moment. On November 30, it surpassed five Euro per half kilo."
Poland buying less
At the moment, a lot of apples and pears are supplied at LTV. "The top fruit is going reasonably well, although the price of pears is a bit under pressure. There is a noticeable difference. We're selling quite a lot in box pallets, and when you compare this with the prices of sorted produce, we are slightly higher." Last year, rather large volumes still went to Russia through Poland. "This year we notice the Poles are buying less in Belgium."
Difference in demand
New markets were entered by Belgium last year, including Canada. "Not a lot is going there yet from here. Our main markets are the Scandinavian countries in particular. There is still a difference in demand among those countries though. Norway wants the best quality and pays for that as well. In Sweden, quality is a bit less important. In Sweden and Norway, you sell per kilo, while Denmark is more individually focused."
The Limburgse Tuinbouw Veiling is a growers' cooperative of fruit and vegetable growers. The buyers are mainly exporters, wholesalers, wholesale distribution, shopkeepers and local market vendors, industry and importers. These come from countries like Sweden, Norway, Denmark, France and Germany. In addition to its Belgium office, LTV also has subsidiaries in Norway and Sweden.
For more information:
Limburgse Tuinbouw Veiling
Petra Wautraets
Industrieweg 1035
3540 Herk-De-Stad
Tel.: +(32) 13 55 01 10
Fax: +(32) 13 55 46 45
www.ltv.be
Petra Wautraets
Industrieweg 1035
3540 Herk-De-Stad
Tel.: +(32) 13 55 01 10
Fax: +(32) 13 55 46 45
www.ltv.be