There are only a few weeks left until the Dutch blueberry season starts. “In week 26, most of the companies in the south of the Netherlands will already be harvesting,” says Harm Valckx of Coöperatie European Blueberry Growers UA Valckx expects a significantly lower production. “As a result of the overnight frosts in mid-May, I anticipate the harvest in the region to be 30 to 40% lower.”

“The temperature of around -2ºC has wreaked havoc, as a lot of fruit has been frozen. However, the differences between companies will be large. Some companies have not suffered any type of loss, while in others the damage amounts to 70%. The same picture can be seen in northern Germany and Poland. The beginning will not be easy. Right now we see that the market is almost empty. The Spanish season is coming to an end, whose volumes and quality are no longer the best."

"Demand for Dutch blueberries will certainly be good, so growers and traders don't have to worry about a price drop. On the other hand, what counts is the offer at the European level. There will be less product available, but it will be enough. When there is less product, the packaging formats are always reduced in size. During the main season, the containers are generally 500 grams. Perhaps they will be reduced to 250 grams this year ”.

With the founding of the producer organization Coöperatie European Blueberry Growers UA last year, the producer of berries and their colleagues in the North European sector began to take over the sales of their products themselves. Fifteen Dutch, German, Polish and Lithuanian producers participate with a total area of ​​approximately 280 hectares and a production volume of 2,5 million kilos. The blueberries of the members of the cooperative are packed by Berry Packing Services according to the requirements of the clients.