VN Trading is a new name in the Netherlands. Its employees, however, boast years of mushroom experience. The company has recently grown, too, says owner Mari van Namen. It took over Oké Trading. There are 13 farms within a five-kilometer radius of the company's packing plant. Every week, they produce 60 to 100 tons of white mushrooms and between 20 and 50 tons of chestnut mushrooms.
Mark Joosten en Bart van Namen
"We try to respond to the moment when the market needs quantities," sales manager Mark Joosten explains the cultivation volume differences. This mushroom grower uses past sales to estimate the market's needs. That prevents market prices from falling too far below the cost price. For example, in the summer, sales are known to drop to 60%. "We consider that and fill fewer beds or leave some nurseries empty."
Wide spread
VN Trading's mushrooms are destined for various countries' supermarkets, markets, and hospitality sectors. These are in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, the Middle East, and the United Kingdom. Mark points out that COVID-19 and Brexit have hit trade with the UK hard. "Brexit, combined with the coronavirus, has reduced exports to the UK to almost zero."
The pandemic lessened demand and Brexit drove costs up, making it unprofitable to ship smaller quantities. Now, COVID-19 is being brought under control. And Mark sees a tentative rebound in trade towards Britain. He expects the market to recover further over the next six months. That is as more eateries open and catering restarts in that country. Demand from all markets is changing as the pandemic eases. "Supermarkets are taking a little less. And there's slightly more demand from markets and the hospitality and catering sectors."
That is also causing a shift in packaging. Mushrooms are harvested directly in end-user packaging. "We have our own production, so we can respond to clients and the market. We can, thus, change the packaging almost immediately," Mari says. Mark adds that the familiar blue mushroom tray has all but disappeared. Transparent PET or R-PET trays with lids or tops seals have replaced it.
Gaining ground
Fewer chestnut mushrooms are traded than white ones. Despite this, Mari says chestnuts mushrooms are clearly gaining ground. He attributes the brown variety's popularity to its color, stronger flavor, and longer shelf life. White mushrooms last for around ten days, post-harvest. Chestnut mushrooms, however, have a 15-to-16-day shelf life. That is important information for supermarkets to avoid wasting food. Mari says there is more demand, too, for specialty mushrooms. To meet this guarded retail trend, VN Trading's assortment includes oyster mushrooms.
Mari van Namen
Also important for supplying supermarkets are certificates. VN Trading is GlobalGAP, GRASP, and PlanetProof certified. Mushrooms are cultivated in a closed circuit. So the company needed only minor adjustments to obtain, for example, PlanetProof certification. "We don't use any pesticides. Compared to other crops, mushroom farming is very clean. That's because external factors have a minimal effect on the conditioned cultivation. It's circular too. Compost is mushrooms' sole byproduct. That is used, afterward, in horticulture," he says.
Feasibility
Price is a hot topic in the mushroom world. In supermarkets, it has long been €0.99 for white mushrooms. "I don't think that's a realistic price," says Mari. "Packaging and raw materials' costs shot up this year. Prices will have to rise by ten percent next year. Otherwise, it will no longer be feasible to grow mushrooms." But even without the increasing costs, it is not easy to make cost price.
Volume is another important aspect of the mushroom business. "Volumes are sorely needed. Especially with what mushroom growing and trading margins have been in recent years," continues Mark. Despite this, Mari is optimistic about mushrooms' future. "Mushrooms are wonderful products, with a future. They fit into a healthy, plant-based diet. Also, they're gradually replacing meat. That is thanks to public perception and their nutritional value," he concludes.
VN Trading
sales@vntrading.nl
mariusvannamen@hetnet.nl