At Gilad Produce, imported vegetables are gradually making way for Dutch products. "We started with Dutch mini cucumbers a week and a half ago, and last week we also began with regular cucumbers. For both products, we have seen a nice increase in acreage," says Frank Mosterd.
"Spain had an excellent season price-wise for mini cucumbers. Currently, there is some overlap between Dutch and Spanish supply, causing prices to drop slightly, but the start of the Dutch season is still strong. Many customers are switching to Dutch mini cucumbers despite their higher price because the quality is simply much better."
"Mini cucumbers are still a relatively small product category, but we are seeing increasing demand. Our own brand, 'Cuckies,' is gaining good traction in the market. Demand from our existing customers is growing, and at the same time, we see our customer base expanding," Frank adds. In addition, Gilad Produce is offering Dutch green and red peppers this year. "We will start with these in mid-April," he says.
Another key product for Gilad is peppers. "We had a good import season in terms of pricing, although supply was quite inconsistent. Currently, Spanish volumes are decreasing, and since the Netherlands is not yet fully on the market, prices for all peppers remain quite high," says Arjen Bouma.
"In Spain, we grow our own jalapeños as well as red, green, and yellow peppers. To spread the risk, we also have our own cultivation in Morocco. It is always somewhat unclear exactly how large the Spanish pepper acreage is, but we do see that many Spanish growers are struggling with rising costs for this intensive crop," Bouma continues. "We are also seeing increasing competition in pepper cultivation from countries like Morocco and Turkey." 
Gilad sells its jalapeño peppers under the brand name Black Bullet. "These peppers have a moderately spicy flavor, a nice shape, and a fresh color. Thanks to our cultivation in Spain, we can offer jalapeños year-round. Meanwhile, the Dutch season is slowly getting underway."
This year, Gilad also has its own cultivation of Padron peppers in the Netherlands. "A welcome addition to our range. Exporters in the Netherlands know where to find us for products like peppers and mini cucumbers. This year, we also received demand from retailers for organic peppers, so we will be starting with those as well," says Arjen. 
He still sees growth potential in the pepper category. "We are also seeing an increase in the processing of fresh peppers, both for fresh packs and for use in sambal and hot sauces. Consumers want healthy and fresh food, and we can respond to this demand with our pepper range, which meets all necessary certifications. As a result, we are seeing strong demand from exporters across Europe, and overseas sales are also steadily increasing."
For more information:
Frank Mosterd
Gilad
T. +31 174 528 067
M. +31 622556700
mosterd@giladproduce.nl
www.cuckies.nl