Hoogstraten strawberries

The first new-season strawberries from Belgium’s Veiling Hoogstraten auction have been sold to importer-exporter Special Fruit at a price of €500 per 200g.

As usual the producer, Cees Buijnsters of Etten Leur in Holland, will offer the entire revenue to charity, withVeiling Hoogstraten doubling the amount on behalf of all its strawberry growers.

The amount of €10,000 was handed to the representatives of the Haiti Lavi campaign 1212.

Special Fruit announced that it was “very pleased” with the purchase of the first Hoogstraten strawberries.

“With the purchase of the first Hoogstraten strawberries, we would like to announce the official start of the new season to our international clients,” said manager François Maes.

Special Fruit also revealed that a number of festivities would occur on 9-10 October to celebrate the company’s 20th anniversary.

The firm also drew attention to the International Strawberry Congress, which is due to take place on 1-3 September, organised by Veiling Hoogstraten and the Research Station Hoogstraten.