Mushroom prices have been at a good level all year. That created high expectations for Easter sales, but according to Alexander van der Linden, salesman for Verhoeckx Paddestoelen, those hopes are too high. “Easter isn’t like it used to be. In the past, you could increase sales by 1.5, easily, now you’re lucky to do it times 1.3.”
“The Easter sales have been disappointing in recent years. Everyone has high hopes, and increases their production, but it’s no longer very exciting. Last year we didn’t have an extreme run on mushrooms before Easter either. Furthermore, Easter is late this year, that results in some more competition from other products, such as asparagus,” Alexander continues. Prices for white mushrooms are at a level around 1.60 euro. The market is also quite calm for specialities, such as oyster mushrooms and shiitakes, according to the salesman.
Verhoeckx Paddestoelen mostly sells its mushrooms on the Norwegian and the domestic market. “The high point of sales to Norway was last week, because the Norwegians are having a longer holiday this week,” Alexander says. “But we aren’t complaining. Prices have been at a good level all year. Last year, sales continued fairly well during Easter, while the market tended to slump in previous years. But we’ll have to wait and see this year!”
