The fall season brings opportunities and challenges for Dutch full ground vegetables, and Freeland's broad grower network ensures year-round stability. Director Jordi van den Bosch shares how the company responds to the fall and winter seasons' specific dynamics with Hokkaido pumpkins, spring onions, and leeks.
Hokkaido pumpkins: demand-driven logistics
Hokkaido pumpkins are a fall favorite, peaking in October with stable demand until March. This year's wet weather made for a harvest with smaller sizes, so good coordination with customers was essential. Freeland meets demand flexibly by delivering custom selections.
After the Dutch harvest, Freeland switches to imports from countries like Egypt and Kenya. Thanks to their long shelf life, Hokkaido pumpkins can handle the 30-day trip from Africa. "Proper planning means we guarantee a constant supply," says Jordi.
Spring onions available year-round
Spring onions' versatility ensures a growing demand, and Freeland has year-round delivery. During the German growing season, supply is good, but once that ends, the company moves to imports. Jordi would have received the first container of spring onion from Egypt in late October. "Dutch and German harvests are usually nearing their end then."
"So we smoothly shift to Egyptian imports. Those supplement the market seamlessly," Jordi explains. Thanks to its efficient cultivation methods and stable prices, Egypt is vital to the European spring onion market. There, fields have advanced irrigation systems, making for a reliable harvest.
Leeks: flexibility and customization
For Freeland, leeks are a core product, with demand from countries such as Germany and Sweden rising in the winter. This season brought challenges like leaf damage from thrips, a common problem in humid conditions. The company, thus, worked hard on quality management to still provide customers with the best leeks.
Freeland has a wide range of leek packaging options. "Leeks are always customized," says Van den Bosch. "Depending on the client's requirements, we deliver them in various packages: in boxes, EPS/IFCO crates, laid length- or width wise, sliced or with roots. Selling per kilo or piece is also possible, as is in different numbers per package. And thanks to our extensive network, we can meet almost any specification."
Flexibility is the key to success
To accommodate availability fluctuations, the company sources locally and internationally. "We proactively respond to seasonal influences. That lets us serve our buyers with products tailored to their specific needs year-round," Jordi concludes.
Jordi van den Bosch
Freeland
Tel.: +31 591 670570
[email protected]
www.freeland.nl