The Belgian auctions are expecting this season's cucumber crop to be broadly in line with last year's: some 51million pieces. The season is entering its peak 11-week period this week with the number of cucumbers supplied through the auctions touching 2million a week. The peak period is forecast to continue until the first week in July.

The 90 per cent take-up by growers of the protocols required to market produce under the Flandria label has been staggering as growers have embraced integrated crop management methods in favour of traditional growing systems very rapidly. Flandria quality standards and specifications were launched in 1996.

Compliance with the protocols is monitored internally by the auctions' inspectors who in turn are monitored by the independent consultancy Certagro. The procedures include controls on residues, production conditions, grading and quality.

But the trade is looking for better returns on grower investment than in recent seasons. 'Last year the average price of Flandria cucumbers at Belgian auctions fell by 19.2 per cent,' said a spokesperson. 'It is therefore in the interests of the trade to monitor trends in prices carefully this year.' Flandria cues will continue to be marketed in the new packs launched by the auctions last season. The sturdy, folding cardboard boxes have a lid to prevent product from drying out.

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