In the Netherlands, Sil Moonen will begin harvesting blueberries next week again. Moonen has 60 hectares of blueberries in northern and southern Netherlands and northern Germany. He supplies retailers and their suppliers. That’s in any desired form of packaging.
According to Sil, the Dutch crops look good. “Last year, the late, night frost caused massive damage. This year, there was sporadic frost, but it was cold for longer. Volumes are, overall, much larger. Though, it always remains to be seen how the season will go. The recent bad weather doesn’t really help sales. A lot of countries are starting to pick now too. Whether it’s in Scotland, Germany or Italy.”
Sil used to focus a lot on supplying loose berries to British retailers. Brexit has, however, complicated these exports. “If we got return trade, it would be easier. The current paperwork makes you more inflexible,” he says.
That gave the grower reason to focus more on the Dutch retail sector this year. “It seems a unique opportunity for Dutch retailers to distinguish themselves with locally grown berries. Especially given all the attention on CO2 [emissions]. The whole world is talking about CO2 reduction. But, meanwhile, they want to get rid of two-thirds of livestock. And some customers still choose to fly in berries from overseas during the season.”
We’re still looking for Dutch buyers. They must want to pay a fair price for local products. We can supply them with that, sustainably packaged. I also want to try the “Punnet Picked Fruit” concept. The berries are packed in 500g buckets directly from the field. So, they don’t go to packing facilities. It’s all picked directly into the package,” Moonen concludes.
For more information:
Sil Moonen
Berryfarm.nl
27 Mortel
6088 AH, Roggel, NL
Tel: +31 (0) 475 494 727
Tel: +31 (0) 653 288 523
Email: sil@silmoonen.nl