Belgian walnuts are not yet abundantly available in supermarkets. Nonetheless, growers in Flanders should be able to reap this emerging crop's fruit in the coming years. To draw attention to local nuts, a Walnut Day will be held on November 12. It will include a tour of Hugo Vets farm. Hugo started growing walnuts several years ago. "I think Belgian walnuts can compete well with the overseas supply, so it's vital to familiarize people with them," he begins.
Hugo used to cultivate top fruit until, in 2017, he decided he wanted to do something different. With the Flemish government's help, Hugo began doing agroforestry on his plot. This system combines tree management and agriculture. Hugo uprooted some of his top fruit trees to make way for walnut trees. "I now have about eight hectares of walnut trees, with nearly 200 trees per hectare. I also grow walnut trees for others who are interested."
Larger volumes on the way
There are few walnut growers in Flanders, but Vets sees a promising future for this product. "Though we started about six years ago, we've yet to realize genuinely big productions. The trees are only fully grown after six years, so they only start producing nuts then," he explains.
This year's harvesting is over at this farm, which still has 11,5 hectares of top fruit. "We started on September 25, and everything's in now. Sales are still difficult because many large buyers don't quite dare to take on Belgian walnuts yet. We've made contacts now to whom we can reliably and continuously deliver nice volumes. However, for now, mainly local buyers take our product. People in the region who are curious and want to taste them."
Competing with overseas countries
Nonetheless, the grower has great confidence in his walnuts and expects to be able to compete well with the overseas supply. "All the feedback has been very positive. It's a wonderful product that can be sold fresh or dried, shelled or deshelled, and processed into granola and oil. There are numerous possibilities," says Hugo.
"I think Belgian and Dutch growers can cultivate delicious walnuts, which can stand out on store shelves. Imports sometimes lose some flavor, but our walnuts come straight from the tree. Also, local is increasingly dominating consumer buying behavior. That's why I believe we'll undoubtedly earn our place at wholesalers and retailers."
But, says Hugo, for this crop, you need the necessary experience. "It's very different to fruit trees. Growers must, thus, familiarize themselves with it. The trees flourish when it's a bit warmer, which seems inevitable with climate change. It's, therefore, potentially a wonderful crop for our countries. But, we, too, are still learning. For example, I started with certain varieties, which, over time, I had to change. And walnut husk flies are quite an issue we must consider, too," he points out.
Walnut day
Experiences and knowledge will be shared at the sixth Walnut Day. It is a collaboration between Dutch and Belgian stakeholders, who, this year, will meet on Sunday, November 12, in Flanders. "We meet up, share what we've learned, and see how to tackle everything best, from cultivation to marketing. In the afternoon, I'll give interested people a tour through my orchard. I hope this will help establish our place in the market," Hugo concludes.
For more information:
Hugo Vets
Hugo Vets Fruit en Walnotenbomen
79 Emblemseweg
2520, Ranst, Belgium
Tel: +32 (0) 486 063 307
Walnut Days
Praktijkpunt Landbouw
Website: www.praktijkpuntlandbouw.be/activiteit/walnotendag2023/