In the Netherlands, De Jong Fruit Leerbroek will be selling Bonita apples for the first time this year. This apple is a cross between Topaz and Cripps Pink. It is grown in Belgium and the Netherlands in collaboration with Apple Select Pty Ltd.
Dirk de Jong has supplied Van Gelder Groente en Fruit for many years. He promoted this new apple during that company's recent Healthy Food, Flavor, and Sustainability Week.
Dirk de Jong with the Dutch Bonita apples
"It was a great week," Dirk reflects. "All of Van Gelder's customers showed their faces. So, it's a wonderful platform for suppliers to promote their products."
"We took the opportunity to offer Van Gelder an apple pie measuring one by one meter. It was made from the first Bonita apple harvest." Dirk characterizes the Bonita as a hard, juicy, tart apple and it is scab resistant.
Gerrit van Gelder cutting the apple pie
"We've had a good harvest in this area of the Netherlands. That is for Elstar, Red Prince, and Conference," explains Dirk. "Last week, demand was a little slow because of the vacation. But the market should pick up again."
"This season's market expectations are especially good for pears. From a European perspective, significantly fewer pears have been harvested. For apples, it will be more of a push market," Dirk concludes.
De Jong Fruit Leerbroek sells its top fruit mostly to European wholesalers and the foodservice sector. It also sells a small quantity to retailers.
For more information:
Dirk de Jong
Fa. De Jong - Fruit
16 Leerbroekseweg
4245 KT, Leerbroek, NL
Tel: +31 (0) 345 599 443
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.dejongfruit.nl