In the greenhouse vegetable market, a transition is being made this week from the Belgian and Dutch supply to the Spanish season. "Starting this weekend, larger volumes of aubergine, zucchini, and bell peppers will come from Spain, followed by tomatoes in the following week. At that point, Belgium will gradually exit the market, and we will slowly enter a winter dormancy mode," says Barry Michiels from the wholesale company Gebroeders Michiels.
"It has been relatively quiet during the summer," continues the exporter from Flemish Sint-Katelijne-Waver, who exports mainly to Germany. "This is traditionally always the case during the holiday period, but from 15 August trade did pick up again. Cucumbers, aubergines, peppers, and tomatoes were finally selling at a higher price again. You always see that from August onwards. I had mentioned that schools are reopening, leading to increased consumption and rising prices."
This trend has continued into the current period. "We've been able to sell well, but the Belgian supply of greenhouse vegetables is now decreasing. However, prices are not expected to rise further. This is because Spain is now entering the market. Cucumbers, aubergines, and zucchinis are slowly becoming available. Tomatoes are not fully in yet, but this gap is being filled with products from Turkey. The transition has begun, which means we are entering a quieter period of five months until the end of February or early March."
A period during which Gebroeders Michiels will not completely go idle. "We are still handling some field vegetables. We are already receiving a few requests for Brussels sprouts, etc., but those are just a few pallets. That is not comparable to what we do in greenhouse vegetables. Additionally, we are starting to receive some leeks, but we won't be able to export those to Germany until December or January, as they will have their own products until then. All in all, we can say that summer is truly behind us now," concludes Barry.
For more information:
Barry Michiels
Michiels Brothers
Kempenarestraat 50
2860 Sint-Katelijne-Waver, Belgium
Tel: +32(0)475 262 482
[email protected]