Brexit may have been dominating headlines in the UK produce industry, but in Europe it’s the Russian imports ban that is having a more significant effect.
Dutch and Belgian topfruit have not only lost a major market in Russia, but have faced increased competition from cheaper fruit from eastern Europe. The race is on to develop markets in India, China and Vietnam to absorb some of this impact, but meanwhile the UK continues to play an important role for Dutch and Belgian exporters.
“We hope to come in firmer on the Conference pear, as we believe there is some potential in the UK,” says director of Belgian exporter BelOrta, Filip Fontaine. “As a market, we haven’t ignored the UK in the past, it just somehow always slipped under the radar. But that is changing – I really feel that exporters have more interest in the UK market and UK consumer. It’s not exploding like India, but it’s growing consistently.”
Managing director for sales at Dutch supplier Fruitmasters, Leonard Kampschöer, says Brexit will not shake the Dutch-UK topfruit business. “The UK is a very stable market, where we have been present for eight years,” he says. “Regarding Brexit, we don’t see it affecting our business. The value of the pound is a lot lower than the same time last year, but this won’t be a long-term problem.” Kampschöer says pear volumes will be 10 per cent lower than forecast at Prognosfruit, due to warm temperatures that have halted crop growth. “Quality is very good with no russet. This year we will see more clean, green pears with a high sugar content,” he says. Apple volumes will also be lower than expected, at around five per cent lower than forecasts, he adds.
Anton Maris, business unit manager for topfruit at The Greenery, says the company expects a good season with a production almost matching last year. “The harvest of pears increased slightly, the harvest of apples will decrease slightly. Due to the good weather conditions the growth has been excellent. We expect a harvest with a good assortment of sizes and good taste.”
In Belgium, Fontaine says recent hail led to around 150 hectares of apples and pears being lost, although picking conditions are now “excellent”. “The full exports campaign will really take off in around two to three weeks, with Jonagold and Conference as the main varieties,” he says.
Varietal development is an area of investment for both Dutch and Belgian firms, including Fruitmasters with its investment plans for both the Kanzi apple and Migo pear, trialled in the UK last year. Meanwhile, The Greenery is ramping up marketing for Sweet Sensation, says Maris, as well as investing in new variety Junami, which is available almost year-round and also planted in the UK to meet growing demand.
BelOrta is also launching a new variety – smaller than Jonagold and fully red, the Pippa apple was named after Kate Middleton’s sister and will be commercially available next season.
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