Most Belgian greenhouse vegetables’ seasons started well” BelOrta’s Benny Cuypers, Maarten Verhaegen

BelOrta’s Benny Cuypers, Maarten Verhaegen: “Most Belgian greenhouse vegetables’ seasons started well”

Cucumbers, tomatoes, and aubergines - Belgium's largest cooperative has all locally grown greenhouse vegetables available again. More than a thousand growers ensure a daily supply of fruit and vegetables to BelOrta. Those include a considerable number of greenhouse vegetables. The greenhouse vegetable season usually starts at the end of January/beginning of February and runs until autumn. However, by using lighting, some farmers have locally grown products, like tomatoes and cucumbers, available year-round.

At the end of January, 2021's first Crunchy Kings mini cucumbers kicked off BelOrta's vegetable greenhouse season. "We're already several weeks further in, and all greenhouse vegetables are now in production," says Benny Cuypers and Maarten Verhaegen of BelOrta. "Each product's season started differently. It is, of course, also an unusual year. The hospitality industry is still closed in many countries. That means some products have lost a vital sales channel. However, this has not affected all greenhouse vegetables. Some sell well via the retail sector."

"Bell peppers got off to a fantastic start. The red and yellow variants have done especially well. That is largely due to the production collapse in southern Spain. The tomato season also got off to a good start. There was tremendous demand, so prices were good. This positive situation, too, is due to the limited Spanish supply. Despite the good start, we expect a slight price decrease soon. That's as production increases."

The season has started positively for cucumbers too. "We've begun selling our mini cucumbers called Crunchy Kings this year. Besides this variety, we also offer classic and snack cucumbers. Although the season started well, early April prices were moderate. That is due to a great supply in recent weeks. These volumes are pushing down prices," Maarten and Benny explain. "Aubergine, however, has had a rockier start with rather low prices. Just like the leafy crops. The hospitality sector closure has greatly affected demand."

"Greenhouse vegetable acreage fluctuates annually. There has been a significant expansion in aubergine acreage this year. That of bell peppers has also increased. Especially in the yellow, red, and sweet pointed varieties. The acreage of tomatoes remains fairly stable, but there's a shift from loose and vine tomatoes to specialties."

"Easter may be over, but we didn't have true Easter sales. This holiday doesn't affect sales much anymore. This year, like last year, we had to deal with COVID-19 regulations. So, restaurants are still closed. Maybe that's why it's no longer so busy over Easter. The European market's total greenhouse vegetable supply plays a much bigger role than this holiday," Maarten and Benny conclude. (SR) 

maarten.verhaegen@belorta.be benny.cuypers@belorta.be