Dutch tomatoes are being made ridiculous and described as totally tasteless tomatoes. For decades growers have fought against the bad image of their red vegetable. Clever marketing strategists now present the Dutch tomato cultivation as a "wonderful world".
There is actually no single negative description of the Dutch tomato unknown to Jos
van MIl. "Twenty years ago people already spoke about so-called 'wasserbommen' (water bombs) the marketing manager says. "We have learned that consumers require a tasty tomato." And therefore he presents in 'Tomatoworld', near The Hague, a tempting assortment of 83 different tomato varieties: red and yellow tomatoes, beef tomatoes, snack tomatoes, cocktail tomatoes and many more. Tomatoworld is unique in the Netherlands. It is a glasshouse, information centre and sector meeting place in one.
The image problems of the Dutch tomato also mean selling problems: the country exported 308 million kgs. of tomatoes to Germany in 2011. That is 28 million kgs. less than in 2010. The advertising campaign 'My Tomato' must now turn the tide and open the world of the Dutch tomato for the consumer. The tomato is placed in a positive light and recommended as a 'figure-friendly salad vegetable'.
Journalists have been invited to come to the Netherlands and to discover the wonderful world of the tomato here in 'Tomatoworld'. A world in which the problem of tasteless has almost been solved completely, according to growers and
traders. The taste has improved although we have not as yet reached the end of the improvements" as per van Mill in a German newspaper.
Journalists have been invited to come to the Netherlands and to discover the wonderful world of the tomato here in 'Tomatoworld'. A world in which the problem of tasteless has almost been solved completely, according to growers and
traders. The taste has improved although we have not as yet reached the end of the improvements" as per van Mill in a German newspaper.