Blueberries have commanded high prices for several months. "Peru has good quality, but the prices are relentlessly high, and there's minimal product available. Some importers have stopped importing from there. We're, however, in a somewhat different area, so we'll keep getting Peruvian blueberries until March," begins Rob Pakvis. He and Theo Benjert run the Dutch company Berryland, which they founded last year.
Next season, the young company expects to receive berries from Peru from September to July. "This supply coincides with the Spanish and Eastern European cultivation."
"Despite that, we should manage to distinguish ourselves with the berries from Peru, quality-wise, and keep up with European berries' prices," says Rob.
"El Niño's aftermath will also affect this year's Peruvian production. We had plenty of trouble with the weather influences in October/November and again in December/January. Availability won't be easy next season, either. It will perhaps not be as scorching, but I still anticipate substantial shortages and high prices."
Blueberries part of daily diet
"Prices, especially for this time of year, are, thus, high. Even for Sekoya berries, which fetch €10.50 to €11 per kilo. Standard varieties are well priced, too, at €9.50. And they still sell well. You'd expect far fewer purchases, but for many people, blueberries have become part of their daily diet. However, it does lead to discussions with supermarkets because with this tight situation, either the margin has to shrink or prices must rise; there aren't many other options," Rob explains.
Berryland deliberately does not import Chilean berries. "Due to quality problems, we let that supply pass. That fruit is often too soft and doesn't hold up well, especially when packed in buckets. Those berries are indeed much cheaper, but quality has value." In February, Berryland will also start the Moroccan blueberry season. "They're already available in small quantities, now fetching €10 to €11," Rob continues.
Raspberry shortage
Raspberries have also been quite scarce for the last two or three months. "Their prices are incredibly high. The August heatwave destroyed many plants in Morocco. Some growers choose to remove the tops, but a period of rain and cold meant the settings were bad. Supply has, thus, remained very limited."
"There should be a revival around week 4-5, but that will be short-lived. Spain doesn't have a large production either. So, until the Dutch season, there will be a shortage in the raspberry market. We had a nice project with raspberries from Tanzania, but that proved challenging due to air freight's tight availability," says Pakvis.
The blackberry market situation is no different. "We fly these in from Mexico, but the quality varies. Fortunately, the first greenhouse blackberries are now coming in, which is good. We're testing out Moroccan blackberries, and I have high expectations for them for the next season." Rob, though, stays away from strawberries. "That's a separate branch. We have our hands full with all the other soft fruit."
Berry mix
One of the company's success stories is a unique 125g berry mix tray with redcurrants, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries.
"Packing this requires a lot of manual work," Rob points out, "so we can't promote them like we'd want. But we get excellent feedback. Next week, we also start with the first golden berries - leafless physalis - from Colombia. These service items are well received in the market," he concludes.
For more information:
Rob Pakvis
Berryland
70 Honderdland, Maasdijk, NL
Mob: +31 (0) 683 431 868
info@berryland.nl
www.berryland.nl