BETKO NEWS

The 2008 Betko shipping programme to Europe is nearing its end amidst reports that the company can look back on a good year.

 

 

“Our total crop was around 10% higher than last year,” says Marketing Director Roux Groenewald. “Our apple orchards and our grower suppliers gave us 15% more fruit than last year, while the pears also increased by around 5%.”

 

 

“Europe performed extremely well, with a strong market for Golden Delicious in general and Packham’s pears in Southern Europe. Italy and Portugal did very well. We also had great success with our shipments to Russia.”

 

 

Mr Groenewald says the United Kingdom, Germany and Holland again proved their worth and remains important markets for Betko. “We have strong relationships with the trade and look forward to expand that in future.”

 

 

According to him the strong season will allow growers to strengthen their position, but warned that the cost of production is also increasing rapidly. “We had a good season because the market factors also played in our favour. The juice prices were also much higher this year and contributed to a good season.”

 

 

In the Far East and Middle East the markets were stable, with trade with Africa continuing to grow at a rapid rate.