For exporter Elite Foods in Sint-Katelijne-Waver, Belgium a quiet period has stared, "From mid-December to mid-March business is always slower. The Belgian tomato season is not yet over, but more and more products are coming from other European countries. These products are cheaper, in general," says Hassan Akarca.
Belgian tomatoes more expensive
Elite Foods mainly supplies tomatoes to Turkish traders on German wholesale markets, "Currently the price for Belgian tomatoes is around 0.90 cents to 1.00 Euro per kilo, but an increase is expected starting next week. Then the tomatoes will be from the greenhouses and prices for these tomatoes are generally higher than the Spanish, Turkish and Moroccan tomatoes. In the long run, most German traders go for the lower prices. If the price difference is small they will still buy the Belgian tomatoes, but at a certain point they shift, if the difference in price becomes too much. German retailers often stick with the Belgian product longer, but traders move over to the Spanish, Turkish or Moroccan tomatoes sooner in the winter.
Expanding assortment
Hassan is satisfied with 2015, "This year was better than last year. Our sales increases around 20% annually. We are pleased that trade is going well, both with existing and new customers. Our product range continues to expand to match our customers demands."
Since 2014 the exporter has been supplying some of the tomatoes in a new package with their own name on it, "Elite tomato volumes are increasing annually," says Hassan enthusiastically. "We now sell one variety under the Elite name, but we may add another variety to our brand next year."
