At FruitPartners Holland, the Dutch cherry harvest has begun. "We've replaced 2 hectares of Burlat cherries with Sweet Ariane and Sweet Lorens. These are somewhat better varieties, and we have high expectations for them," says Aart Blom. "The cherries have developed well this year, and I expect we'll be harvesting nice, large cherries."
Sweet Ariana
"Things are looking especially good for the early varieties. For the Kordia and Regina, the crop load is very uneven. Not every orchard has a full yield. Also, many trees died last year due to heavy water damage. I estimate we'll have about a 70% crop on average," continues Aart, who sells his cherries to supermarkets, wholesalers, and specialty shops. "Next weekend, our self-picking season will also start again in Wadenoijen. That draws a big crowd every year."
The cherries are hitting the market at an ideal time. "A lot is happening in Europe—frost in Turkey and Greece, and in Spain, where decent cherries were still coming from, it rained again last weekend. That's causing shortages and high prices on the market. Here in the Netherlands, we may not have large volumes yet, but in a few weeks, we'll have a strong supply. We'll inevitably start with good prices, as there's barely any competition."
Expanding Dutch cherry acreage has been off the table in recent years, according to the fruit trader. "It remains a short and costly crop. Current growers have chosen to invest in it, but you hardly see any new plantings. With all the extreme weather, you really have to cover the crop, but the materials for that are much more expensive—and that has to pay off too. Glass greenhouses produce beautiful cherries, but that's also a costly investment for just one harvest a year."
Sweet Lorens
"It's always a question whether supermarkets will keep up with the prices, but the ones committed to offering quality cherries do sell quality cherries," Aart believes. "And if a consumer enjoys a bowl of cherries at eight or ten euros per kilo, they'll definitely come back for more. You can also sell red, dressed-up pits for half the price, but that ends up costing you more in the long run."
For more information:
Fruit Partners Holland
Hooiweg 16
4158 LE Deil
Tel: +31 (0)345 651311
[email protected]
www.fruitpartnersblom.nl