Dutch banking group Rabobank has published new research which suggests many fresh fruit and vegetable producers in the Netherlands have been hit hard by the recent economic downturn, with apple growers particularly badly affected.
According to the research, which was reported in the Agrarisch Dagblad, as many as 25 Dutch apple growers could be forced out of business this year, mainly in central Netherlands.
Jorrit Dekkers, horticulture sector manager at Rabobank Netherlands, told the newspaper: 'It's often the companies who produce less compared with their colleagues that are unable to generate sales at current prices.'
However, Mr Dekkers insisted the bank had not tightened its policy requirements when it came to providing the Dutch production sector with loan agreements. 'We have always been critical, but we are making no additional requirements,' he said.
In the meantime, another report issued by the bank has suggested that the area of vegetable production under glasshouses in the Netherlands would fall by around 1,000ha to 9,000ha by 2015.
The study, which looked in particular at the future potential for peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers, based its forecast on recent market developments for the Dutch vegetable business.
'It is becoming very difficult for the industry to win back lost market share,' commented Rabobank's director for the arable and horticultural sector, Dick Oosthoek. 'If the area shrinks fast in difficult years, this leads to a scarcity of land and is unfavourable for the recovery.'
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