“The reason the Belgians are talking about ‘winning back’ Russia so often, is that they have practically become dependent on it for the sales of pears. Half of their cultivated volume was sent to Russia. We need Russia more than the Netherlands, for they have better spread their sales markets, and that was smarter. The Belgians figured Russia was an easy market that would buy a lot of product. We expanded our pear area because of Russia, and are approaching a yield of 500 million kilograms. That is why we still have much need for this buyer,” says Tony Derwael.

Crisis in Russia
Pears are still being sent to Russia through all kinds of detours, even via African countries. “But that is becoming more difficult due to the phytosanitary regulations, and additionally, the country’s spending power has decreased. Consumers are spending less because of the crisis. And exporting via detours is more expensive, resulting in fairly high prices for pears in Russian supermarkets. Russian consumers tend not to buy them because of that. People currently avoid buying more expensive products.”

Putting our backs into it
According to Derwael, this is exactly what Putin wants. “He prefers being self-sufficient in all products, and hopes consumers will eat domestic fruits and vegetables as much as possible. Unfortunately for him, that will not be possible with pears. As regards that product, they will not be able to meet their own need.” Derwael indicates that he hopes Belgium and Russia could become ‘friends’ again. “We are in regular contact with politicians. Belgium has a few who risk their own necks, such as Hilde Vautmans. There should be more like those! As far as I am concerned, peace with Russia is right around the corner. We should all be putting our backs into it. I expect it will be all right again, it will all be solved at some point.”

Derwael indicates Belgium is currently very active on other sales markets. “We also focus on countries that are closer, such as Germany and Scandinavian countries. We meet the Dutch on these markets very often. In the past, Belgium hardly supplied these countries. The UK is also an interesting market to export to, although the export to England and Northern Ireland will become more difficult in future because of the Brexit. Additionally, the devalued pound results in import products being more expensive, and decreases the spending power of the British.”