Zwaagdijk-based AGF Direct is starting its own import line from Italy. "By chance, I met Gerard van Loon, who runs a B&B in the heart of Puglia and is still connected to the fresh produce sector. He is located right in the middle of the production area, and that is how things started moving," Robert Vogel says.
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Sealed broccoli
"Through Gerard, I got in touch with Amleto Elia, who knows many growers in the region, allowing us to offer a strong Italian assortment to our Dutch customers."
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Fennel and celery
On Friday, the first truck with Italian broccoli, coloured cauliflower, Romanesco, fennel, and celery arrived in Zwaagdijk. "Cauliflower is still abundantly available from the Netherlands at the moment, so there is no point in bringing in Italian product yet," Robert says. Alongside the main products, AGF Direct also offers Italian specialties such as palm cabbage (cavolo nero), cime di rapa, radicchio, and Cumelo.
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Cumelo
"We supply this melon and cucumber hybrid under the Baratti brand. It was introduced in the Netherlands before, but did not gain traction then. Perhaps the time is right now," Robert says. Green asparagus, green cabbage, chard, endive, and various lettuces and herbs complete the Italian range. "There are also many options based on weekly prices and programmes. By working with weekly prices, we can bring vegetables in order and reduce risks."
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Chard and cime di rapa
He also sees Italian imports as a form of risk spreading. "Two years ago, everyone was in an uproar because no field vegetables were available in Spain. At times like that, everyone is always talking about spreading risks, but then, when you have another year with good availability, everyone seems to quickly forget about it. Several large parties in the Netherlands are also focusing entirely on Spain, while we have an alternative in Italy."
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Cavolo nero (palm cabbage)
"Italian growers have traditionally been strongly focused on Germany, but they too are looking to diversify their sales, which creates a nice win-win situation," Robert continues. "Our big advantage is that we have two experienced men on the ground in Italy. They speak the language, know the culture, and can go straight to the field if an issue arises. If we had to manage everything ourselves and only visit suppliers twice a year, so to speak, it would be difficult. This way, in our view, the project has a real chance of success."
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Romanesco and orange cauliflower
He describes the outdoor vegetable market as calm across the board. "There is simply plenty available. We are still in Dutch cauliflower here, Germany has sufficient product, and France has overproduction. Everything has grown well, and we are overlapping each other. For broccoli, there is only import, but the mood is far from euphoric. And Spanish iceberg lettuce is listed at 5 euros, so that is not exactly ideal either."
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Cauliflower in foil and box each
For more information:
Robert Vogel
AGF Direct
Tel: +31 (0)85 30 32 633
[email protected]
www.agfdirect.nl
