The Belgian aubergine or eggplant season has started. Yesterday, the first aubergines were auctioned at the BelOrta fruit and vegetable auction in Sint-Katelijne-Waver (Antwerp). The season runs from March to November with May and July being the peak months. "Last year, we sold 14 million kilos of aubergines," says BelOrta's Kelly Van Dessel. "And due to the strong demand for aubergines, also among young people, we hope to do even better this year."
During the winter season, aubergines in our supermarkets mainly came from Spain. "The difference is that Belgian aubergines are young and fresh, Spanish aubergines are nearing the end of their season," says BelOrta's Kelly Van Dessel. "About 70 per cent of aubergines are destined for the domestic market, some 30 per cent are exported to Germany, France and England."
Jan Heulens from Vremde near Boechout grows prime quality Belgian aubergines. BelOrta works with five growers and has 28 hectares with aubergines under cultivation.
In addition to classic aubergines, BelOrta also markets slimmer shape Turkish and organic aubergines. According to Kelly Van Dessel, local and sustainable aubergines are in high demand. "At the beginning of March they will be in all the supermarkets in Belgium," she says.
Popular with young people
Research by GfK Belgium shows that aubergines are especially popular among young people. The vegetable pops up in various cooking programmes and there are an awful lot of possibilities for how to us it. "Many young people experiment with aubergines and make hummus-like snacks with them," Kelly Van Dessel says.