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Reopening eateries will boost the Belgian greenhouse vegetable sector
Sven Jordens, Gemex: “Reopening eateries will boost the Belgian greenhouse vegetable sector”
Gemex has been exporting Belgian fruit and vegetables to Germany for many years. The greenhouse vegetable season has started in Belgium. This is usually a busy period for the company. However, the corona crisis and its accompanying regulations are affecting the greenhouse vegetable market.
"The Belgian greenhouse vegetable season has begun again. Our clients are now switching from typical winter vegetables to spring products. These include tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers," begins the company's Sven Jordens.
"Tomatoes started well, with high prices and lots of demand towards Easter. However, prices dropped a little in the week after Easter. "But that's nothing unusual for the time of year. The tomato market isn’t bad, but we as traders and, of course, our customers, are waiting for [the COVID-19 rules to be] eased. If the hospitality industry can open its doors again, the market will be greatly boosted. A lot of people are yearning for [a return to a] 'normal' life. For now, it is, however, still unclear when some of the measures will be lifted."
CUCUMBERS AND BELL PEPPERS
A product that has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic is cucumbers. This is a true hospitality product, so its sales have declined dramatically. "We expected a lot for cucumbers in the week before Easter, and demand wasn't terrible. But prices are now down again. The cold weather in the second week of April didn't do the market any good either. Cucumber is a weather-dependent product. Consumption picks up when it’s warm and drops during colder weather. Bell peppers started the season with extremely high prices. Red and yellow peppers were selling for around €5. These prices dropped a little when April began. And they are now at a normal level. They are also weather-sensitive. So, the colder days should influence prices," continues Sven.
"FOLDING CRATES ARE A NICE DEVELOPMENT"
"The courgette season always begins a bit later and is now slowly getting underway. Aubergines are plentiful, but this product hasn't gotten off to a great start. Prices were moderate to begin with. Now, weeks later, little has changed, unfortunately. I nevertheless expect the market to recover. It might take a while, but eateries can’t stay close forever. The sector switched from rigid to folding crates this year. That is a good move forward. There are no more high crates, and the medium-height ones will be replaced too. In terms of sustainability, this is a fantastic development. The folding crates take up much less space so transport can be arranged much more efficiently."
MARKET EVOLUTION
Gemex has been supplying the German businesses with Belgian products for many years. "We've built a good reputation, and our Belgian goods are known for their good quality,” says Sven. “Tomabel vine tomatoes have found a decent place on that market. Just like Elite beef tomatoes and Scarlet Red beef tomatoes. The latter only
Visit our stand at: Fruitlogistica in Berlin - Horticontact in Gorinchem Visit our stand at: Fruitlogistica in Berlin - Horticontact in Gorinchem
recently entered the market but are already immensely popular. They are also packaged in a lovely box. Compared to years ago, a lot has changed. Products that used to be exceptional are now common products, like mini cucumbers and Turkish aubergines. These are great products that are doing well. But specialty tomatoes are faring especially well; they're in huge demand."
NEW BUILD
The company is going to begin expanding its current building this summer. "We're just waiting for permits and approvals to start construction. We currently have right loading bays, which are quite busy in the spring. We are going to add fridges and seven of the docks. We are enlarging the logistics area significantly. We are adding 4,000 m2 in total. We have grown so much in recent years due to our ideal location. We are right on the German border so, we can reach much further into Germany," concludes Sven. (SR)
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