As of January 1, 2024, Mariska and Priscilla Haverkamp have officially taken over the Dutch family business from their parents. The sisters continued growing strawberries without major changes but added home sales for the first time this spring. To promote that, a new brand name was also created: Pri-Ma Strawberries.
To kick off home sales, the company invested in a vending machine. Once the harvest began and the machine was stocked, sales went well. "The results exceeded our expectations. We didn't anticipate it being this busy," reflects Priscilla.
Priscilla and Mariska Haverkamp
The growers needed some time to learn how to operate the vending machine. On busy days, they could restock it three times a day due to the high volume of customers. "In hindsight, I wish we had done this much earlier."
In the future, the sisters, who are affiliated with The Greenery, hope to expand home sales. "We are investing step by step. Making one investment per year is manageable. Trying to do too much at once isn't feasible. The entire takeover and learning so many new things is already challenging enough for us."
Surprising third pick
For spring crops, both the temperature and sunlight took a while to arrive this year. However, in Oudenbosch, they did not see this as a disadvantage. "The harvest and production started a bit slower, but it allowed us to continue harvesting longer than usual."
Next to the greenhouses, there have been residential units housing migrant workers for the past four years. In the spring peak, the growers employ 25 to 30 people. "It was a more than good spring, without extreme heat or crowds. It was also comfortable for our employees."
What was particularly special this spring was that a third harvest of the Malling Centenary variety was possible in one of the greenhouses. "Normally the harvest of this variety, as with Elsanta, is finished in early June. However, this year there was still so much potential in the plant that, on the advice of our cultivation supervisor, we decided to leave the plants of the variety Malling Centenary. We pruned the plants, and all the flowers came back, allowing us to continue harvesting throughout July."
This was beneficial for home sales. "We want to offer strawberries year-round for home sales." Since the strawberry growers were already working on a summer crop, the employees were still available. "After this third round with the Malling Centenary variety, we were able to immediately begin planting the new crop in August. As a result, the greenhouses were hardly empty during the summer."
Good, green crops
This summer, all the greenhouses were replanted simultaneously. "Normally, we have a bit more staggered planting, but this year it just worked out that way. We planted everything between August 15 and 28." For the upcoming fall crop, they have chosen the varieties Elsanta and Inspire. For next year's summer crop, the Haverkamp sisters are focusing on the Arabella variety. "This summer, there was significant demand for that variety in home sales."
Last winter, the growers briefly considered investing in new energy innovations as well. Ultimately, they decided to wait for now. "We use electricity for the growth lights in the spring. For the rest, our consumption is limited. Right now, we're choosing to invest all our time, money, and expertise in good, sustainable crops. We aim to grow as organically as possible."
Plenty of flowering in cultivation in mid-September
Over the past week, it has become evident in the greenhouse in Oudenbosch that the nights are getting colder. "The crop is blooming well, and we are currently pollinating the flowers." Since the plants are wet in the mornings after the chilly nights, the growers have cautiously started heating the greenhouse. "It's important to invest enough energy in the cultivation, especially for the Inspire variety." The sisters expect to begin harvesting in early October, allowing home sales to resume with Pri-Ma Aardbeien.
For more information:
Strawberry nursery Haverkamp
Zeggeweg 4
4731 SH Oudenbosch
[email protected]
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