Belgian quality label Flandria is launching new variety Zouk into its Prince loose tomato segment this month, as loose tomatoes regain ground on fruit on the vine.
Zouk is available until the end of December, and will account for 10 per cent of total Prince acreage, at 110,000sqm.
Raf De Blaiser, quality manager at Lava, said: “Every year there are a few changes, and one newcomer to the loose tomato range will be Zouk.
“Loose tomato production, as a proportion of the entire Flandria tomato range, continues the upward trend we have seen for the past few years. In 2007, there was a 3.3 per cent increase compared with 2006, and production of vine tomatoes is falling, down by 10 per cent last year,” he added.
De Blaiser said the saturation point for fruit on the vine has been reached, and planted area devoted to vine tomatoes this season will be five per cent smaller than in 2007 - a 10-hectare decrease. The ratio of Flandria loose to vine fruit now stands at 60:40, which is more in line with market demand, he added.
Flandria is also launching rocket and spinach this year, and is hoping to target the foodservice and fresh prepared markets with these lines.
Rocket is being grown on small acreages, initially under glass or plastic, with a season that is expected to run until November.
Spinach will be launched this month, but the peak is expected to run between April and August, and as well as traditional green varieties, Flandria will also be supplying red leaves.
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