The tomato market has been on the rebound for about a dozen days now, and at the moment the price is around 1.60 Euro. So far, the outlook for the Belgian season is good, according to Erik de Winter of Rotom. "At the moment, a lot less is coming from the south, and prices are going up. I don't know whether they'll get much higher, but they're unlikely to go down in the coming weeks."
Cherry preferred over large vine
Rotom supplies both vine tomatoes and specialties. In recent years, Erik has noticed a growing demand for specialties. "There's still more demand for cherry vine than for the 'ordinary' vine tomato. Slowly, specialties are replacing some of the 'ordinary' tomatoes. Not that the larger tomatoes suddenly aren't popular anymore, but a clear shift is noticeable. Consumers see specialties as healthy snacks. That's a good sign."
Dependent on the south
Rotom supplies both in Belgium and abroad. "At the moment, limited volumes are going out, most of it still for the domestic market. Supplies aren't too high yet." He's waiting to see how the season will progress. "We are dependent on the production in the south, which will further determine the price, both here, domestically, and soon in the export countries. Spain is expected to supply to the north for a while longer. It's cold there now, so there's significantly less volume coming in."
Less bulk
2015, he says, wasn't the worst year in tomato cultivation, and he sees positive things this year as well. "The bulk products, like beefsteak and vine tomatoes, are grown increasingly less often. More specialties are taking their place, and those prices are holding up pretty well. In addition, illuminated cultivation means supplies are also lower in summer. That way, production is more evenly spread out across the year."
For more information:
Erik de Winter
Rotom Tomatoes
Drevendaal 38
B-2860 Sint-Katelijne-Waver
Tel: +32 15 32 38 32
Tel Erik: +32 495-186351
Fax: +32 15 32 38 33
www.rotom-tomatoes.com
