Two weeks ago, the Dutch company Denimpex received its first new garlic crop from China. "The first containers were usually only 10kgs, but last week, we got the first packaged garlic in 250 and 500g and 1kg braids. The garlic's good quality, despite the rain in China," Joey Deen says.
"Unlike last year, this year's sales have been excellent since the start, despite this year's new crop being far pricier. I've never seen garlic demand and sales as strong in the summer as this year. In fact, garlic sales aren't normally very good in July and August. What also helps is that there's little old crop available. That was very different at this time last year."
"There's more demand for Chinese garlic from various European retail channels. That's probably because of Spanish garlic's disappointing quality due to the weather," Joey explains. "There's also plenty of demand for good quality garlic from southern European countries. The season ahead should be exciting, and there could well be a big gap at the end. Spain doesn't have the quality; that's a fact. How that garlic will hold up in storage is entirely another question."
There are only a limited number of kilograms available for import licenses. Imports must pay an additional €1.20/kg import fee for anything more. "That's not an option. It will be a year where we must serve our regular customers and keep our ears and eyes open for new long-term collaborations," Joey concludes.
This year, Denimpex's program again has the whole garlic range. That consists of peeled garlic in 1kg vacuum bags, loose single garlic in 3kg and 250gr trays, and regular garlic in both white and violet in 100g, 200g, 250 g, 500g, 1kg, and 5kg.
For more information:
Joey Deen
Denimpex
10 Sint Antoniesbree Street
1011 HB, Amsterdam, NL
Tel.: +31 (0) 206 246 390
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.denimpex.nl