BelOrta reaches a record turnover of 400,000,000 Euro

On 23/12/2015 the cap of 400,000,000 Euro of turnover was broken. Expressed in volumes this means over 600,000 tonnes of fruit and vegetables was traded through BelOrta in 2015. This is an absolute record in Belgian auctioning. The main reason for this high turnover is the fusion of three partners in recent years. The turnover proves that BelOrta is a successful collaboration which is attracting increasing amounts of members, both in Belgium and abroad.

Sophie Reyntes receives the cheque from BelOrta-directors Chris De Pooter and Filip Fontaine

Unfortunately the record turnover doesn't mean that all fruit and vegetable growers had a good year. The price formation of different products was substandard and left the growers concerned. The import embargo in Russia continues to weigh on the fruit market and on various vegetables. Our proud winter vegetables such as chicory, leek or turnips have also being doing less that normal in recent months, albeit due to consumption lacking in the unusually warm weather. Lettuce in all its shapes and sizes is dealing with bad prices due to the mild weather, as the cultivation of lettuce in open air is able to continue for an usually long time everywhere in Europe.

The record turnover does mean that the cooperation BelOrta is still there after years of fusion and that the growers see the benefits in going to the market together. The cooperative model is more modern than ever and finely tuned to stay sharp and play into a fickle and difficult market quickly. Quality and renovation are the key words with which we create added value for our growers.

There were no large celebrations for the record turnover. The price formation of fruit and vegetables doesn't warrant it. But BelOrta does want its turnover to give resonance to those struggling in this Christmas time. In the framework of "The Warmest Week' by Music For Life, the growers of BelOrta are therefore donating 4,000 Euro to Bednet, a charity which gives children with long term illnesses the opportunity to follow the lessen live from home through a webcam.