The Belgian top fruit trade is calm. The harvest was noticeably hit by hail last year, and it can be quite a search to find batches with great quality. Pear prices are high. “The 60s are sold for 65 cents, and 65s are around 72 cent.”
According to exporter Jackie Boussier, it is calm for their company because Scandinavian countries, which they mainly sell to, think pear prices are too high. “Countries such as Norway can buy cheaper pears elsewhere, so they tend not to choose the Belgian ones. We therefore have less sales due to higher prices.”
Jackie Boussier during Fruit Logistica 2015.
Much went to intervention
Apples are a difficult story. “We are currently doing more for industry, less for markets. Much went to intervention this year, and that is very noticeable. I estimate about 60 per cent, and because of that, supply is not very large. The auctions paid an intervention price, and they gave a few cents on top of that price. That is why many cultivators chose that. Besides, some of the apples are less good, qualitatively, due to hail last year. Good apples are still sold at fairly good prices. Some of those good apples are shipped to India.” He does not know how the top fruit season will develop. “It could all change in a week.”
For more information:
Jackie Boussier N.V.
Colenstraat 11a
3840 Borgloon - Belgium
Tel: +32-12741991
www.belfrutex.be
jackie@boussier.be