“Being a producer is top-class sport every day”

The tomato market has just had a short recovery. “Last week prices recovered again, but this Monday we harvested many products, and prices have dropped again. I’m talking about the loose Prince tomatoes, which I grow myself. The trade isn’t very strong. It’s still the holiday season. Besides, the weather isn’t very favourable, it has to really be warm for a longer period before consumers start eating more tomatoes,” says Patrick Olbrechts from Olbrechts Tomaten, a company that supplies its products to BelOrta.

Last year recovery came in August

Up till now the season has been comparable to last year, according to the producer. “Production is good, but the average price has been quite mediocre in previous years. For large sizes it was between 60 and 65 cent. Last year we had a nice recovery in August. Prices became better for a longer period. We’re missing that a bit right now.” Besides Prince tomatoes, Olbrechts also grows snack tomatoes in various colours. “That’s a completely different market. Only a small part of the sales is through day trade, the majority is contracts. Those sales are guaranteed, and the price is pre-determined. That is a bit smoother. The limited part sold through day trade is going all right.”

Future

What the future of the tomato market looks like differs per organisation, according to him. “It’s also connected to the CHP (Combined heat and power). The first CHPs are about ten years old now in Belgium, and they therefore have to be replaced. To get certain things done, you sometimes have to expand. I see a market that can work with that, especially for smaller tomatoes. Being a producer is top-class sport every day, you have to be at daggers drawn.” On the tomato market, it really becomes a game of survival for some growers, according to Olbrechts. In recent years, average prices were barely more than 65 cent. “If we wouldn’t have had CHP, it would have been a very difficult situation.”

He won’t soon change cultivations. “I have dedicated myself to tomatoes, and I will continue doing so. Switching it all around is very expensive. And what should I then grow? Aubergines might be slightly better this year, but no one knows how long that’ll last. If even just two hectares are added to that, it could all collapse.”

For more information:
Olbrechts bvba
Klemlei 9,
2861 O.L.V. Waver - Belgium
Telefoon: +32 (0)15 75 58 30
info@olbrechts-tomaten.be
www.olbrechts-tomaten.be