"Platerinas gain importance as Spanish figs see rising demand"

The final phase of the Spanish stone fruit season has begun. "We will continue with paraguayos until 14 September, platerinas until 23 September, and peaches and nectarines until 4 October," says Wilko van der Zwaard of Wilko Fruit. He looks back on the season with satisfaction.

"There was some rain in the early season, which caused fluctuations in supply, but after that, it has been extremely dry. Spanish apricot crops suffered damage from hailstorms in the later varieties. The French and Moldovan seasons also took place, and we have now switched back to apricots from southern Italy. We will have those for another four weeks or so, after which we will move on to South Africa."

"As for sales of peaches, paraguayos, nectarines, and platerinas, we are very satisfied. There are many large sizes on the market. All European customers are back from their holidays, and the weather is still good, so sales continue to be strong," Wilko observes.

"We handle a lot of platerinas of the Ondine variety. These are super sweet, guaranteed to have a Brix of 14, and they perform exceptionally well. We offer them both in jeu-de-boule bags and loose. Platerinas are becoming increasingly important. This week, the price difference with paraguayos is significant, but that is due to the larger supply expected this week."

© WilkofruitFirst grapes from Moldova
"With plums, we are now in the main season from Badajoz. There are slightly fewer plums this year, so the season will end earlier. At present, we are working with the Golden Globe and Fortuna varieties. At the end of the week, we will switch to the Laetitia variety, which is traditionally one of the tastiest Spanish plums. The market is much better than last week. The Dutch supply is running out quickly. We are also receiving plenty of plums from Moldova (Stanley, President, Blue Moon). The first grapes from Moldova have also arrived. Overall, due to frosts in the Balkan countries, that season has also ended earlier than expected."

"We are still getting Canadian cherries, but supplies are lower than expected. The Dutch season is almost over, and the Canadian season also ended earlier due to heavy rainfall. The latest Spanish varieties are selling well," says Wilko. An increasingly important item at Wilko Fruit is Spanish figs. "Blue and green figs are being planted in abundance. We source them from Valle de Jerte as well as northern Spain, and sales are going very well."

The watermelon season has been more difficult in recent weeks, but according to Wilko, it is recovering now. "The weather is certainly favorable for watermelon consumption. We are also receiving Piel de Sapo and yellow melons from La Mancha. Supplies from Murcia are starting to run out. We also import melons from Italy," the importer explains. Although the first Brazilian melons have already arrived, he does not recommend them. "Their prices are at an abnormal level, almost double those of Spanish melons. In addition, retailers prefer European produce over overseas shipments that take three weeks to arrive. Those overseas melons are definitely three weeks too early!"

For more information:
Wilko van der Zwaard
Wilko Fruit
Heilaar-Noordweg 14
4841 ZZ Prinsenbeek
[email protected]
www.wilkofruit.com