Tholen - Belgian walnuts are not yet found in abundance on supermarket shelves. Nevertheless, it is an emerging crop in Flanders, which should be reaped in the coming years. To highlight local nuts, Walnut Day will be organized on November 12. This day includes tours of Hugo Vets' farm, who started growing walnuts a few years ago. “I think we can compete well with foreign offerings with Belgian walnuts, so it's important to let people get familiar with them.”
Hugo originally grows hard fruit in Ranst, Flanders. Until he decides in 2017 that he wants to do something different. With the help of the Flemish government, he decides to apply the agroforestry system to his plot. A system that combines tree management with agriculture. For example, some of the hard fruit trees are harvested and make way for walnut trees. “I now have about 8 hectares of walnuts, with around 200 trees per hectare. In addition, I also grow walnut trees for others who are interested,” Hugo explains.
Larger volumes on the way
Because many walnut growers are not there in Flanders yet, but the grower still expects a bright future for the product. “So we started about 6 years ago, but we haven't been able to realize the really big productions yet. The trees are only fully grown after 6 years, so they only start producing nuts.”
This year's harvest has recently been completed at the farm, which also still grows on 11.5 hectares of hard fruit. “We started on September 25 and everything is now in. Nevertheless, sales are still difficult. Many large customers are not quite up to it with Belgian walnuts yet. Contacts have already been made now that we can deliver beautiful volumes reliably and continuously, but for now, it mainly remains with local buyers. People in the neighborhood who are curious and want to try them.”
Competing with foreign countries
Nevertheless, the grower has a lot of confidence in his walnuts and he certainly expects to be able to compete with the foreign supply. “All the response we're getting has been very positive. It is a beautiful product that can be used in granola, renamed nut oil, dried or fresh, kernels or in the shell. There are a lot of options. I think that, as Belgians and Dutch, we can grow very tasty walnuts that will help us stand out on the shelf. Imports sometimes lose some of their taste, but for us, they come straight from the tree. In addition, local consumers are also increasingly prevailing in the purchasing behavior of consumers. It's the reason I definitely expect us to earn our spot in wholesale and retail.”
However, it is a crop that requires the necessary experience, says Hugo. “It is a completely different tree shape than a fruit tree, so a grower should familiarize themselves with it. The trees also flourish when it's a bit warmer, which seems inevitable with climate change. So it is potentially a very nice crop in our countries. Nevertheless, we are still learning. For example, I started with certain breeds, which I had to change over time, and we have quite a bit of problems with the walnut drill fly, which we will also have to take into account.”
Walnut Day
To share these experiences and learn from each other, a Walnut Day has therefore also been organized for the sixth time. This is a collaboration between Dutch and Belgian stakeholders, who will meet in the Flemish Emblem on Sunday, November 12, this year. “This way, we can get in touch with each other, share what we've learned and see how we can best approach everything. From cultivation to sales. Then there is
In the afternoon, the opportunity for the interested public to take a look at my orchard through a guided tour. I hope that this way we can establish our place in the market,” Hugo concludes.
Howitec was also present at this Walnut Day.
