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Raf Rutten, Carolus trees:

"Our fruit-growing sector has a wait-and-see attitude regarding the new top fruit season"

"There’s interest in top fruit trees, but the fruit sector is waiting to see what the new top fruit season brings," begins Raf Rutten, sales manager at the Belgian tree nursery Carolus Trees. The top fruit sector is facing a challenging time, he says, mentioning things like the high energy and labor costs. "That's skyrocketed, and the sector couldn't respond; last season's pricing wasn't great."

He does, however, see that the new season has brought improved sentiment, noting that lower European yields contribute to that. "That gives pricing prospects. Pears are doing well and are on the good side of things. For apples, it remains to be seen," Raf says.

New varieties offer added value
But, according to him, the new apple varieties are a positive and add value, with better price settings, for many companies. He thinks having concept varieties on a fruit farm is a good idea for risk spreading. Raf, however, questions the multitude of new apple varieties being brought to market. "Plenty is being planted beside the popular club varieties like, say, Pink Lady, Morgana, and Kanzi. There may soon be too many. Stores' apple shelves remain the same size, after all."

Raf points out that there are so many new club varieties that the free apples fade slightly into the background. It is a cyclical movement, so he expects it will be temporary. "The free varieties like Jonagold or Elstar won't disappear. We're getting to the point where there may soon be too few free varieties produced, which will renew interest in those familiar varieties," he explains.

Opportunities for pears
There are free pear club varieties, and concept ones like Qtee® are faring exceptionally well in Europe. Rutten also notes some smaller, well-run projects in the form of other club varieties. Still, Conference pears are in particularly high demand. "That's a growing market, with increased interest every year." He attributes that partly to climate change causing much of the southern European pear crop to fail. "That offers market opportunities for Belgian and Dutch pears. Productions in recent years haven’t been as large as expected, either," he adds.

Raf determines that the fruit growing sector's age - “the current generation is gradually aging" - will be challenging. In many cases, there are no successors in the family businesses, so acreage is decreasing. "That’s happening all over Europe. It gets some growers thinking, 'It's not something I need to worry about. The next generation will continue or, if there isn't one, it will stop."

Scaling up
But, some growers sell their orchards to fellow growers, which brings about up-scaling in the sector. That, says Raf, makes it even harder to find labor, which is already difficult. "Scaling up is an option, but you must have enough people, and some companies find it quite challenging to find knowledgeable workers. I don't expect a resolution any time soon," he admits.

Political decisions regarding things like crop protection products pose another issue. With the ban on using numerous agents in certain countries, Raf wonders whether people there want to keep growing fruit. "The agriculture and horticulture sectors have always had to produce and supply cheap food, which lets people afford luxuries. Now, with nitrogen, CO2, and pesticides, we're the villain in this tale. It's unfortunate that we're viewed as such." He thinks new breeding techniques, which the European Union opened the door to last summer, may help, but Raf is also apprehensive about the long-term consequences. "I'm cautiously in favor of it," he states.

Innovation
Yet, Rutten sees opportunities for the top fruit sector. "Although the sector’s going through a slump and companies will disappear, I'm optimistic about the future. Whether it be with more resistant or new varieties, we'll get out of this. Especially with better prices and if the government allows us a bit of leeway." That does require the fruit-growing sector to move with consumers. He notices a growing preference for sweet, firm, lovely-colored apples. "Flavor patterns are changing. The fruit-growing sector shouldn't be too conservative. It must innovate and leave behind what's no longer profitable or popular," Raf concludes.

Raf Rutten
[email protected]
Fruitboomkwekerij Carolus Trees
Heuvelstraat 50
3850 Nieuwerkerken (België)
T: +32 (0) 11 68 87 01
F: +32 (0) 11 67 47 64
[email protected]
www.carolustrees.com