In 2015 global product sales of all auctions affiliated with the VBT, the Association of Belgian Horticultural Cooperatives, amounted to €921.8 million. Considered generally, both the vegetable and fruit sector performed better than in 2014. Product sales increased by 14.4% compared with 2014 (€805.8 million) and with 15.1% compared with 2013 (€800.6 million). The vegetable sector recorded a sales increase of 20.2% compared with 2014, while the sales in the fruit sector increased by 5.6%.
This improvement was much-needed for quite a number of products. Of course there were large differences between pricing of different products, cultivation methods and the time of year.
VBT’s members are the Belgische Fruitveiling, BelOrta, European Fruit Cooperation (EFC), Groupement des Producteurs Horticoles Namurois, Ingro, LAVA, Limburgse Tuinbouwveiling, REO Veiling, Veiling Hoogstraten and Veiling Haspengouw.
BelOrta
BelOrta realised product sales of €391.7 million in 2015. This is an increase in sales of over 16% compared with 2014 and of 10% compared with 2013.
The main products in the vegetable sector (tomatoes, cucumbers, chicory, lettuce and bell peppers), had an increase in sales despite higher, lower or similar supply. On average greenhouse vegetables experienced better prices in 2015 than in 2014. From May until July, however, prices were under enormous pressure as a result of the oversupply on the European market combined with the Russian boycott. Chicory recorded, despite decreased availability, normal to good prices, with the exception of the final weeks of 2015 because of peak productions.
The fruit sector represented almost 20% of total sales for BelOrta. In hard fruit, apples had to process a further decrease in sales, despite higher supplied volume (+10%). Pears on the other hand were supplied almost 13% less in 2015, yet recorded a better price resulting in an increase in sales of nearly 10% compared with 2014. In soft fruit, the higher supplied volume compensated for the lower prices, and strawberries managed to close 2015 with an increase in sales of nearly 7%. Woody small fruit also increased its sales by nearly 10%, according to BelOrta, the largest auction for woody small fruit.
Product sales of Coöperatie Hoogstraten amounted to €214.0 million in 2015 and continues on its rising trajectory. The auction in the Noorderkempen again did better than 2014 and 2013, with an increase in sales of respectively 15% and almost 28%. In general, both vegetables and strawberries realised better sales in 2015. For tomatoes the sharply risen average price combined with a larger supply was responsible for an increase in sales of nearly 49%. Sales of bell peppers also rose sharply (+30%), which was completely due to better prices, because supply in 2015 was similar to that of 2014. In general, prices for strawberries remained fairly stable in 2105. However, supplied volume increased, which was reflected in an increase in sales of more than 7%.
The REO Veiling closed 2015 with product sales of €165.2 million, which means an increase of nearly 22% compared with 2014 and of more than 5% compared with 2013. Tomatoes gained further importance within REO Veiling in 2015, whereas leeks had been their main product for years. Tomato sales increased with more than a quarter due to an increase in volume of nearly 17% and better average prices. For leeks, the restored price (almost double of that in 2014) combined with record supply, resulted in sales that more than doubled and even joined the better leek years. Ten other important types of vegetables within the auction, such as mushrooms, chicory and lettuce, also recorded a better price in 2015 and closed the year with an increase in sales.
Product sales of the Belgische Fruitveiling amounted to €93.5 million in 2015, and this is in line with sales of 2014, but shows a decrease of 16% compared with 2013. In 2015 almost 14% less pears were supplied, but due to better average prices than in 2014, similar pear sales were realised. The average price of apples, however, remained substandard in 2015. The increase in supply managed to change bad pricing into an increase in sales of more than 6%. Sales for strawberries and berries did not differ much on the BFV in 2015 compared with 2014, while sales for cherries rose sharply due to increased supply.
Veiling Haspengouw realised product sales of €49.0 million in 2015, which is 5% higher than in 2014 but 13% lower than in 2013. Hard fruit represented three quarters of total sales and reached practically equal sales in 2015 as in 2014. In 2015 pears were supplied less but sold at better prices compared with 2014, while apples were supplied more but at lower prices. The increase in sales is consequently attributed to higher cherry sales. In 2015, 23% more cherries were traded on the Veiling Haspengouw.
The Limburgse Tuinbouwveiling closed 2015 with product sales of €6.9 million, which is a slight increase of 1% compared with 2014, but a decrease of 8.5% compared with 2013. Both traded volume and the average price of vegetables fell sharply in 2015. In 2012 one third of total sales for LTV was realised through vegetables, in 2015 this was only 4%. This indicates a further shift from vegetables to fruits. Especially hard fruit was supplied more, and for fruit in general this resulted in an increase in sales of 9%.
Product sales of Criée de Wépion amounted to €1.6 million in 2015, similar to 2014. In 2013 sales for the Walloon strawberry auction were 41% lower.
Besides the classic auctions, Ingro, a producer’s organisation for industrial vegetable growers, is also a member of the VBT. Ingro closed 2015 with a Value Sold Production of €92 million, comparable to 2014 and 2013. The growth circumstances in 2015 were not easy due to draught in late spring and early summer. This resulted in a lower supply of carrots, peas and beans. Sprouts and cauliflower, however, obtained peak yields in autumn. The main products are cauliflowers, sprouts, leeks, beans and carrots.
Source: VBT