Flandria tomato volumes for January and February are likely to be six times higher than last year.
Growers began planting vine tomatoes earlier this year, with around 10 to 12 hectares of tomatoes planted under grass early. This means the volumes available earlier in the year will increase, although the yield per plant will slightly lower.
A spokesman for Flandria said: “Earlier planting is not a new phenomenon, but it has never taken place on such a scale before.”
In addition to the earlier plantings of vine tomatoes, the forthcoming winter supply will also comprise loose tomatoes grown under artificial lights
While the tomatoes will still have to meet the strict Flandria quality standards, the growth in volume will now guarantee sufficient year-round supply.
