In the Netherlands, greenhouse vegetables sales are, once again, very different from past years. The bell pepper market had a few difficult weeks but has since revived. This year's tomato sales are going well across the board. The cucumber market is a bit quiet. Aubergine sales are the most difficult. Arie Middelburg of GreenMatch, takes stock. He works with sales and pricing development.
"The weather has significantly affected production," he begins. "This summer hasn't been as good are those in recent years. That has led to a sharp drop in production. But more factors affect price formation. Some outdoor tomato harvests ended early. And the tomato acreage is also much lower. That's because several farmers have switched to growing cucumber or other crops. Or they have sold their companies."
"Last year, the global pandemic negatively affected loose and vine tomato sales. This year, it's the opposite - sales are booming. The significant acreage reduction is having a clear effect on loose tomatoes. But processors and the catering industry are also buying much more. Specialty sales are going well too and are now more stable. The booming medium and large TOV sales are fantastic. You can't even compare it with previous years."
"In other years, Dutch tomato farmers had quite a lot of competition from Eastern Europe. That is if the weather was good. That pressure now seems to be shifting slightly more to bell peppers. A lot of (red) bell peppers have come onto the market in recent weeks. They come from countries like Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Romania," Arie says.
"That supply is now starting to decline, as is Dutch production. There is not too much market competition. So I think a few good weeks lie ahead. There is already a strong upturn. The flight destinations, like the US, still aren't taking much. Sales, therefore, must come from the European market."
"Cucumber sales are a little quiet," Middelburg continues. "There are more of these this year. And the good summer weather that boosts consumption is still lacking. The market situation isn't wholly disappointing. There have been changes in cultivation. There is more year-round and high wire farming. That has had a positive effect. The supply arrives more widely spread on the market. It also improves the cucumbers' quality."
Last but not least - aubergines. Sales are difficult this year. "The acreage has expanded slightly. But, above all, production was excellent this year. Spain, too, competed more and for a longer time than in other years. That creates a situation where there was (too) much available for the day trade. And prices were under pressure for a long time. These are finally improving a little. There is, however, much for which to still make up. That cumulative pricing gap must be closed. That probably won't be possible," Arie concludes.
For more information:
Arie Middelburg
GreenMatch
Email: middelburg@greenmatch.nl
Website: www.greenmatch.nl