The current prices for the peak season of fruit should be used as a reference point for the next seasons. This is the opinion from Xavier Laduron, a grower himself and chair of the committee on fruit production at Fairebel. “Everyone is always looking for the best yields, however right now we’re working to achieve affordable costs. It’s an important improvement from the past five years. If you’re a farmer today, you are able to generate a profit while making your fruit farming attractive to the upcoming generation.”

“This is true for the apples and pears” Xavier continues. “The apples are of excellent quality and has been keeping well in storage thus far which is why I’m not anticipating to have any problems in the coming months. If we’ll have enough up to July is hard to be predicted, but I do not have any crystal balls. In my opinion, that we will be able to maintain these rates. Actually, we have to keep them, as prices cannot decrease. As farmers, we’ve yet to completely recover from the loss of the last 10 years. It’s not going to happen in a day.”

When asked if current prices are due to smaller quantities of apple and pears Xavier has a firm answer. “I do not think that we’re suffering from a shortage, do you? However, prices are high and this must indicate that the supply is lower. It is reported everywhere there’s an undersupply this year. Next year could be different, but I’m not able to do anything about the fact that there is an undersupply. Nobody knows what the next year’s forecast will be. It’s not my job to be a fortune-teller. We shouldn’t get too optimistic in the coming months however, we should believe that these rates are the norm going towards the future.”

“As farmers, we need to be sure that this happens,” he continues. “No person’s aim is to get into the top 10 in the Quote 500. All we want is to earn an income and have the ability to invest. Given these costs you can take a look forward. In recent times, we’ve heard increasingly about succession being the most significant problem in the field of fruit production. You can be sure that it’s the midst of a crisis. However, it’s easy to fix the problem adding a zero to the account of your bank would increase the chances of being appealing. Yes, it’s easy to state that we do have the most stunning job on the planet. But, if we don’t have adequate financial recognition nobody will be able to work in this field. Farmers simply require better compensation for the long-term sustainability of farming fruit.”

“That does not mean that prices have to go up. Nobody is asking for this. In this season, prices haven’t risen to EUR1.50 per kilo. I’d say this is more than what they were last year. In the past, prices were very high toward the close of the season. But the ones who had their fruit sold early made little or nothing. The current season, with the prices of around EUR1 every person has the chance to trade. This is fair and how it should be.”

Are Xavier worried with the future? “If the people realize that we require these kinds of price, then I’ve no concerns about the coming years. When that happens, farmers youngsters who were born with an apple or pear in their hand–will become keen to learn this profession. It’s an amazing profession however we have to create a positive image. If the work is lucrative and rewarding, there’s any reason to believe that people shouldn’t be interested in it. The cost of production keeps rising, and the prices will follow. We can continuously strive to be more effectively however we aren’t cutting costs of production by 15% any longer. We already are using the most effective cultivating methods. The main question is, what is the minimum amount a farmer can make? It’s a question that applies to many crop varieties, and the awareness about this is increasing, but let’s hope that this trend continues.”

More information is available here:

Xavier Laduron

Fairebel

+32 (0)80 44 77 26

[email protected]

www.fairebel.be