Belgium: Capsicum grower positive about cultivation, less so about pricing this season
In just under six weeks, the 2025 season will come to an end at Gemapa, a sweet pepper grower in Nevele, East Flanders, Belgium. It’s been a year marked by an expansion of the packing facility — and, unfortunately, by disappointing prices, says grower Liesbeth Lambrecht.
“It’s been a poor year in terms of prices, and we really didn’t see that coming. This week production has slowed down a little, but the prices remain below expectations. As we move toward the end of the season, I don’t think that’s going to improve anymore.”
On the crop side of things, Liesbeth is much more positive. “The cultivation itself has gone well,” she explains. “The same goes for fellow growers. We’ve had very little Fusarium pressure and all areas have stayed healthy. That’s a relief. Unfortunately, the market simply hasn’t been able to absorb the volume.”
Spain has also started to appear on the market, adding extra pressure to a season that already had high supply levels. “We’re heading toward a higher net production than last year, when it was …
