Tholen – In the combination greenhouse of the German Emsland Gemüse, part of Emsflower, the month of April is dedicated to the annual crop change. Not only could the first vine tomatoes of the year be harvested in week 16, but in a large part of the complex the bedding plants also made way for the second planting of tomatoes. At the start of the new harvest season, we looked back and forward on location with production manager Erwin Savenije.
The management of the vegetable branch looks back on a successful 2023 tomato year, both in terms of cultivation and sales. “The fact that we are forced to grow CO2-free obviously limits our production. After all, our wood boiler does not yet produce CO2 and liquid CO2 is simply too expensive for the time being. Another cost factor is the minimum wages. Nevertheless, we could not complain, especially also in terms of price. Here we have to distinguish between the different segments: We were able to achieve good prices for cocktail tomatoes, while it appears to be more difficult to implement a price increase in that respect cheaper growing countries. We had the advantage last season that almost all of our vine tomatoes were sold in 650g packaging, which allowed us to record good margins,” Erwin explains. In total, tomato cultivation covers approximately 18 hectares.
Fresh tomato plants shortly after the crop change in the greenhouse of Emsland Gemüse
Emsland Gemüse is showing restraint in the first phase of the season. “As soon as the major growing countries drop in production, around week 26-33, we come to the market with larger volumes. Our season normally ends around week 48, where in the past we sometimes continued until deep into December. However, this is due to the increased competition from Spain is simply no longer profitable. However, I do not rule out that we may create a department for illuminated cultivation in the future.” The weather conditions were not very good after the first planting in week 3 until well into April, Erwin acknowledges. “Relatively high temperatures, little light: we will undoubtedly see this reflected in the quality, increased pest pressure and perhaps also lower fruit weight.”
Erwin Savenije during the visit to the greenhouse in week 16. Vine and cocktail tomatoes are mainly packed in cardboard with a flow pack. Labels are increasingly being replaced by pre-printed packaging.
New varieties and cultivation methods
Compared to last year, a major change took place in the variety portfolio of Emsland Gemüse, according to Erwin. Cherry tomatoes of the Rivolo variety will no longer be grown this year. “This is mainly due to declining demand, which is probably largely related to declining purchasing power. After all, we are talking about a tomato in the higher price segment.” With approximately 60% of the total volume, the Sweeterno vine size still forms the main part, followed by the cocktail tomato Brioso (30%) and the beef tomato Rebelski. In addition, Emsland Gemüse is involved in several variety trials, including High Resistant varieties. For the time being, however, the company has been able to keep ToBRFV at bay, Erwin emphasizes. “In that sense, there is no need for us to work on this on a large scale, especially because variety testing and data collection are very time-consuming. What also plays a role is that there is not yet a vine tomato with a shelf life that , but also fruit weight and yields can match Sweeterno. The main argument, however, is that the use of HR varieties still does not guarantee that ToBRFV will not actually occur.”
The Sweeterno vine tomato forms the main part in the greenhouse of Emsland Gemüse in Emsbüren, Germany.
Emsland Gemüse mainly supplies retail customers within the state of Lower Saxony. Sales are entirely through the Landgard cooperative. “Regional cultivation and sales are our strength. In addition, we consciously focus on tasty tomatoes instead of huge ones.” This literally and figuratively pays off: “It even happens that consumers approach us personally with positive feedback.”
In addition to variety trials, the cultivation process is also continuously optimized. Erwin: “Although we are not organically certified, but if you look around, we are definitely doing something wrong. For example, we use peat-free substrate, we collect our drain water and we focus on natural pollination. After the first tests last year, This year we are growing vine tomatoes on a larger scale (0.7 ha) as hydroponics. In our Erlebniswelt nearby we have been growing lettuce in water for several years, so we already have the necessary experience in that sense.”
Cocktail tomatoes of the Brioso variety
New construction and future
Erwin also refers to the gigantic new construction on no less than 13 hectares that must be completed before the end of the year. Initially, this mainly concerns scaling up bedding plant production, but just like the existing capacity, it concerns a combination greenhouse in which tomatoes can also be grown. “If this new complex is built and functioning properly, I do not rule out that we will also take other paths in the future. Think of commercial lettuce cultivation in water or the year-round cultivation of various fruit vegetables. We are also in the fortunate position that we still have expansion opportunities, but it should be noted that buying land in our region is no longer as easy as it was a few years ago. In that sense, we notice that Emsland has become more attractive for companies.”
For more information:
Erwin Savenije
TB Emsland Gemüse GmbH
Sechs-Sterne-Weg 6
48488 Emsbüren, Germany
Tel.: +49 172 7952831
[email protected]
www.emsflower.de
Tags: Good prices cocktail tomatoes price increases vine tomatoes difficult
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