rawberry season started a little later than last year. At Van Dijk Food Belgium the first volumes arrived in mid December. "There a now reasonable amount coming this way," says sales manager Stijn Weckx. "The production in Spain is normal. There aren't any less than last year. But as far as volumes are concerned, we're receiving more than in the same period in 2013. This is putting the prices under some pressure, and they are quite different to those of last season."Competition
He indicated that this isn't just due to larger volumes. "Egypt is still on the market as well. The lesser parties still have to be 'cleared'. This means the price of the Spanish strawberries is lagging." Van Dijk Foods imports the products from the cooperation Cuna de Platero. This includes multiple growers with a larger area. They are also usually one of the first to supply Spanish strawberries. The strawberries are available at Van Dijk Foods under the brands Platero. Spanish strawberries are also marketed under Bonafru, Agromartin and Lepe.
New varieties
Stijn believes that an important development is Spain being very active in the development of new varieties in recent years. "This tendency has been going on for years, but is growing. There are increasingly strong and sweet varieties. It used to be just Camarosa, but it has been surpassed. Now varieties such as Primoris, San Andrea and Splendor are winning popularity and their volume is increasing yearly." The trader looks towards the season positively. "If the weather in Spain stays good and we don't have frost here, we will be able to continue selling. The flavour and quality of the strawberries are good."
