At Service2Fruit, three-quarters of a billion kilos of fruit has crossed the trading platform. Trade director Emanuel Sluis was there from the start. "It took blood, sweat and tears, but we proved that it can be done and that we can play a significant role in the fruit market in this transparent way."
Meanwhile, sales are in full swing, with nice prices. "It's still a bit surprising," Emanuel says. "Especially when you consider the poor end of the Conference season and the hail that caused damage nationwide."
According to Emanuel, the published Prognosfruit harvest forecasts have less impact on top fruit prices. "I feel much more that the trade makes its own assessments based on the harvest, rather than relying on the figures. Only you do see that the figures are used in negotiations if there is a full harvest or if there are changes in forecasts."
As far as Emanuel is concerned, the signals are green for the new hard fruit season. "Europe-wide, there is less fruit and the Netherlands is on the right side. That goes for Conference, but also for Comice pears of which there are fewer and the price on the wood is at an even higher level than last year. With the Beurre Alexander Lucassen, though, there is a lot of hail damage and demand will only erupt when the foreign market comes in."
"Apple prices are also at a good level. Elstar prices are between 60 and 70 cents and for the full washed Jonagold you can also command in the back 50 cents. As a grower, if you can't live with these prices, you really do make a conscious choice. But I do see willingness among growers to sell. Sometimes you wonder why people always take the risk of going for the last cent, but again, that's part of the trade."
For more information:
Emanuel Sluis
Service2Fruit
De Ooyen 15A
4191PB Geldermalsen
+31 885 321 300
[email protected]
www.service2fruit.com