After strawberry prices were at relatively low levels in late July, early August, prices are now picking up sharply. "Clock prices are currently above 4 euros, which is quite substantial for the time of year. We see that available volumes in strawberries are relatively tight. The weather means that harvest planning sometimes turns out a bit differently than expected beforehand, both here in the Netherlands and in other countries," says Sjraar Hulsman of Frankort & Koning. "We are now in the sales of chilled crops and through-bearers on racks and out of the greenhouse. The strawberries we are getting in from our growers are of good quality, despite the humid, hot weather we've had. Our export markets are still getting strawberries from local outdoor crops, whether under tunnels or not, often of lower quality."
Growing demand gastronomy
"At Frankort and Koning, we provide a customised wide range of fruit and vegetables from our growers to a growing group of demanding retail and gastronomy customers. Strawberry sales towards retail are going as planned. We have seen growing demand from gastronomy in recent weeks, which counts on us because of the reliable quality from the Netherlands, rather than their local product. The Italian market has also been very active in recent weeks in the more exclusive segment. So we are seeing good demand and sales opportunities despite higher prices," Sjraar says. "Meanwhile, the autumn season for strawberries is upon us again. We will start cold (tunnel) greenhouses in a fortnight. The connection with the heated autumn crops is certainly there, although I think the Dutch growers have generally planted later and the real peak of those crops will therefore be a bit later than last year. But the weather in the coming weeks will be the determining factor in that too."
"The raspberry market has been under more pressure in the last two weeks. Prices in the markets are currently around 8-10 euros per kilo. I notice that in the countries we export to, autumn raspberries are now being picked, which can get out with a slightly lower price compared to a chilled crop with longcanes. These sales will continue on a piecemeal basis in the coming weeks, but I do not expect a spectacular upturn," Sjraar said. "The price of redcurrants has been stable in recent weeks now that the berries are in the cell and currently the kilogram price on the markets is around 14-16 euros. I also expect those prices to remain at a firm level because there are not as many redcurrants in storage in the Netherlands as other years."
More normal supply of Peruvian berries
"The Dutch blueberry season went quite well. Besides our regular year-round imports, we now have a local producer for this, who takes care of our supply, and we also exported some more Dutch berries partly as a result. Market prices were around 7 euros per kilo for a long time, but in recent weeks these have increased to 10-12 euros per kilo for berries from storage," says Sjraar. "Meanwhile, the first Peruvian blueberries have also arrived again. Qualitatively, Peru delivers super nice trade. Last year, the price of overseas berries was remarkably good, but the supply was considerably lower. A more normal supply is expected for this year, although it is challenging at the moment. Hopefully by the 2023/24 season, customers will have noticed that a real price is achievable with consumers for that product too, because at the 2022/23 price level, I don't think you can continue to grow and export berries."
For more information:
Sjraar Hulsman
Frankort & Koning
Tel: + 31 (0)77 3897 328
[email protected]l
www.frankort.nl