Last week saw the first Belgian strawberries of the season sold at the REO Veiling auction in Roeselare.
The strawberries, grown by Koen Depraetere from the West Flanders town of Geluwe, were of the early Clery variety and carried the Tomabel quality label, according to the auction's Tom Premereur.
The fruit was cultivated under glass using integrated pest management and water-saving techniques, which Premereur says shows the sustainable development efforts made by its growers.
This year, REO Veiling anticipates a volume of 4,800 tonnes of strawberries, up from last year's 4,400 tonnes and double the quantity from a decade ago.
'Strawberry production in West Flanders has grown due to the specialisation of multiple growers,' said Premereur. 'Some growers have made the switch from other fruit and vegetables to strawberries, and we have seen the glasshouse production area increase by 10 per cent.'
A new packaging innovation is also a cause for excitement in the Belgian strawberry segment. The so-called strawberry shaker is being launched this year to respond to consumer demand for convenience, says Premereur.
'This will make it easier for people to take this healthy snack with them to school or to work,' he told Fruitnet.com.
