The top fruit market is currently developing steadily, according to Frans Buijsrogge of the Goes-based refrigeration company of the same name. "There's some tension between supply and demand. On the marketing side, people are particularly dissatisfied with prices, feeling there's little profit to be made. However, the situation has improved slightly in the past week, with pears being sorted and sold quite well."
Buijsrogge emphasizes the importance of this development and advocates for fellow growers. "Sales seem slightly behind last year, which isn't ideal for managing stock. We may have harvested less, but if sales are also down, we'll end up with significant stock at the season's end. That's the downside of a sluggish market, though it hasn't reached that point yet."
"Pear prices are currently good, and it would be beneficial to maintain them. The quality is solid. I believe many growers started harvesting a week too early, but that has resulted in firm, green pears. Everything is holding up well in cold storage, with a few pears turning soft. Light hail damage is being well accepted this year, which is necessary; otherwise, customers would have no pears. From Utrecht to Belgium, growers have experienced hail. Some of the damage has healed nicely, while other marks are more visible, but overall, Class I pears are being widely accepted and sold in abundance."
"It's also been a good year for apples. However, the market has become harder to track with the emergence of so many club varieties and growers arranging sales privately. Those with solid production are achieving excellent net prices, though this information isn't publicly shared. Jonagold is also priced well. Strong demand from industry has solidified the lower end of the market. The supply of smaller varieties like Cox and Goudreinet is only decreasing, and Elstar is doing quite well. A few larger players handle the marketing for these varieties, selling based on quality observed in storage. Eventually, I believe even these varieties may face shortages."
Buijsrogge's operations are limited to his own cultivation and the cooling of his fruit, as well as that of a few fellow growers. Buijsrogge Refrigeration currently has 37 cooling cells available. "As a result, we're positioned at the very start of the supply chain. We don't sort the produce ourselves but instead collect it and sell it to sorting companies and exporters. This approach works extremely well for us. By not venturing further into the marketing chain, we don't pose a competitive threat to established trading houses, which also provides us with access to more information. This allows us to support our customers in achieving good prices for their products."
For more information:
Frans Buijsrogge
Refrigeration company Buijsrogge
's-Gravenpolderseweg 118
4462 RA Goes
Mob: 06-55801980
[email protected]
www.koelbedrijf.com