"We can look back on quite a good soft fruit summer," says Sjraar Hulsman of Frankort & Koning. "Many strawberry growers are now working with everbearers to spread out production and make year-round use of greenhouses. Varieties such as Karima, Florice, Favori, and Lady Emma each have their own specific characteristics. Florice in particular has pleasantly surprised us again this year: it's a beautiful strawberry that has produced consistently and has been very well received by our customers."
"In Germany, we see that outdoor strawberry production has declined sharply. Although steps are being taken with substrate cultivation, this has not yet been enough to offset the decline in volumes, which creates opportunities for Dutch exports. Southern European countries like Italy and Spain did not experience such extreme heat this summer, so local production there held up reasonably well. As a result, Dutch exports were slightly lower than last year, when those countries suffered from heatwaves. Still, we were able to supply a broad range of markets beyond the usual German and Italian ones, including Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, and Switzerland. Wherever there was a supply gap, we managed to fill demand effectively."
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"In June, strawberry prices were still around €5–6 per kilo. In July, there was a brief dip to about €4.50, after which prices rose again in September to around €6–7 per kilo. September began on a tougher note, as strong prices temporarily dampened retail demand. This was purely due to slower sales in retail, since production volumes were not particularly high. However, demand picked up again earlier this week, and I expect sales to continue positively in the coming weeks. Although we are now loading the first Inspire and Elsanta, the autumn greenhouse crop in the Netherlands will only really enter the market around week 40. I expect the available supply will ensure prices remain stable until then."
"In blueberry cultivation, we see more Dutch growers moving from manual to machine harvesting. The first and second pickings are done manually, followed by machine harvest. With increasingly advanced sorting technology, high-quality fruit still makes it to retail shelves. In Germany, the blueberry acreage doubled in 10 years to around 3,500 hectares, but since 2023, that rapid expansion has come to an end. During the German season, our role is somewhat smaller, as the market favors local berries. We therefore focus on customers who value the quality we provide. Prices were around €8–9 per kilo this summer and tightened to €11–12 per kilo in September."
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"That was also the starting level for Peru at the end of August. In recent years, Peru has planted a huge volume of berries. Overall, Peru produces high-quality, firm berries, and as a result, we are importing less and less from other South American countries, while Dutch berries from storage are a thing of the past for us. Varieties from the Sekoya programme are gaining ground quickly. Some customers recognize the added value and are willing to pay a premium, while others prefer more traditional varieties like Ventura. Most of our blueberries arrive pre-packed from Peru, which works very well. Although a large supply is expected, Peru's real peak will only come from mid-October onwards."
"Raspberries are a smaller product line for us, focused on customers who demand top quality. We mainly offer Kwanza and Lagorai. Prices were fairly stable this summer. In June, prices were around €12 per kilo, dropped to €9–10 in July, and then rose sharply again in August and September. Currently, clock prices are €2–2.20 for 125 grams, which is quite high. In Mediterranean countries like Morocco, raspberry production suffered from the heat, which contributed to these extreme prices. At the same time, rising labor costs are hitting hard in labor-intensive raspberry production. As a result, it's becoming increasingly difficult for growers in the Netherlands and Germany to stay afloat," Sjraar explains. "Blackberries also fetched reasonable prices this summer. We mainly sell the Sweet Royalla variety. Prices were around €14 per kilo in June, dropped to €7 in July, and recovered to €11 from August onwards. The advantage of the larger blackberries is their somewhat lower production costs compared to raspberries. However, in blackberries, too, we are not among the biggest players."
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"The growing demand for fruit with lower residue levels and the tightening of the crop protection portfolio are real challenges for Dutch growers, including those in strawberries and other soft fruit. At the same time, progress is being made, with resistant varieties, greater knowledge of biological control, and mildew management using UV robots in strawberry cultivation. Consolidation, particularly in strawberry farming, is also accelerating rapidly: large players continue to expand while many smaller growers are quitting or selling their farms. A similar trend is visible in blueberries, with major players expanding in Peru, Morocco, Romania, and Poland to secure a year-round supply. For Frankort & Koning, these are ideal partners. Of course, you have to prove yourself every day, but we succeed well at this. We go the extra mile for our customers and, thanks to our broad customer base, we are active on many fronts and remain a trusted partner wherever we operate."
For more information:
Sjraar Hulsman
Frankort & Koning
Tel: + 31 (0) 77 3897 328
[email protected]
www.frankort.nl