Stoffels Tomatoes takes over the Baanheidehof greenhouses, located in Beerse. Peppers will be grown there over an area of 10 hectares. In the meantime, the tomato producer in Rijkevorsel is demolishing his oldest greenhouse to build a new one. Max Verheijen, Sales Director, says: “We are proud to be able to do this. Our growth is due to increased sales and demand for our high quality tomatoes. »
The Baanheidehof greenhouses
Baanheidehof
The Baanheidehof greenhouses have always had peppers. In the company of May Lambrechts and Jos Oostvogels, the new generation has also joined the adventure: Tinne Oostvogels joins the Stoffels Tomatoes team, while May and Jos remain involved.
“We have been looking to expand our greenhouses for some time. It’s very close to us, which makes production easier. »
Like many producers in Belgium, Stoffels Tomaten finds it difficult to expand by constructing new buildings. In Loenhout and Rijkevorsel, where the company also has greenhouses, expansion possibilities are limited. “That’s why we started looking for other solutions. »
Modernization of an old greenhouse
The tomato grower now chooses to expand with existing businesses and, where necessary, upgrade older greenhouses. This is the case in Rijkevorsel. “Cultivation was still done on the ground in an old low greenhouse. It will be replaced next year by a new, ultra-modern construction, which we will equip with LED lighting. And in existing illuminated greenhouses, a 300 micromole LED system will be installed.
Due to the demolition of the greenhouse in Rijkevorsel, Stoffels Tomaten must temporarily reduce part of its space. Thanks to collaboration with contract growers, including one in the Netherlands, and its own greenhouses on other sites, the tomato grower is, however, able to absorb this loss.
Demolition of the oldest Stoffels Tomaten greenhouse in Rijkevorsel
Take a taste of return
The expansion achieved by Stoffels Tomaten is possible thanks to the growth in sales, explains the sales director. “Demand for our beautiful product is increasing. There are new partnerships and new opportunities. We focus on specialties and do not grow ordinary vine tomatoes. Our products include Toma'Dor miniature cherry tomatoes, Toma'Rito mini elongated tomatoes and Toma'Chef, a blend of heirloom tomatoes.
Take'Gusto
The specialty specialist offers several own brands, including Toma'Muse, one of the best known. 2025 will be the year of activity development for the producer, but also of the return of one of the tastiest brand tomatoes, Toma'Gusto. Due to ToBRFV, no resistant varieties were temporarily available, but things are about to change.
“Toma'Gusto is a large tomato with the flavor of a small one. This is a truly delicious tomato, which is difficult to grow. The appearance of ToBRFV made this impossible, but today we have another resistant variety. Toma'Gusto will be back in stores in Belgium from week 15.”
Take'Gusto
Stoffels Tomaten grows a diverse range of specialties, which can be very labor intensive. To take a step forward, the company is investing in a new sorting machine at its packaging site in Rijkevorsel. Even after purchasing 10 hectares of greenhouses, there is no need to expand the packing station yet. “With our current capacity, we still have room to make good progress. »
For more information:
Stoffels Tomatoes
[email protected]
www.stoffels-tomaten.be
