Everywhere in Flanders, Belgium and even far abroad Hoogstraten known for its strawberries. Just thinking about it is often enough to start salivating. And rightly so, because our fully ripened strawberries give you the perfect balance between sour and sweet.
Our story began in 1933 with our strawberries and it is still our absolute top product. A few passionate people from the region were able to grow their passion for strawberries through the Cooperative into the quality brand that brings more than 30 million kilograms of strawberries to you every year.
It is the work of more than 120 family businesses that put all their knowledge and energy into our strawberries. By carefully picking, selecting correctly and presenting perfectly, they have made the worldwide fame of strawberries possible.
To always guarantee our top quality, we only pick our strawberries when they are completely red. Our growers use a meticulous technique to ensure that we do not damage the strawberries. To avoid pressure marks or damage to the strawberry, we do not pull the strawberries from their stems, but twist them off. Of course, this means that growing strawberries requires a lot of work, but fortunately, we have growers who treat our strawberries with love.
Strawberries are available 365 days a year. The cultivation types alternate: illuminated winter cultivation, heated greenhouses, plastic tunnels, open air, etc. But taste and quality remain consistently high.
The color and flavor nuances of our strawberries differ from variety to variety. But they are always shiny red, intact and juicy. The main variety is still Elsanta. Elsanta strongly dominates the supply, but is not the only variety we offer. Other varieties are also increasingly profiling themselves as fully-fledged varieties, including Sonata, Sonsation, Limalexia and, to a limited extent, the everbearer Murano.
For research and development, we work closely with Proefcentrum Hoogstraten, which conducts scientific and practice-oriented research into strawberries, tomatoes, and bell peppers. In addition, it provides advice and training for growers. For example, new strawberry varieties are tested annually on the farms under the guidance of the research center.
From summer to winter: the Hoogstraten Strawberries are available 365 days a year. This is because different types of cultivation alternate with the season: illuminated winter cultivation, heated greenhouses, plastic tunnels, open air, ... Whatever cultivation method: taste and quality remain consistently high. This allows you to enjoy juicy and tasty strawberries all year round.
Another reason why strawberries are available in stores from summer to winter is because different strawberry varieties are grown. The main variety is Elsanta. Other varieties include: Sonata, Sonsation, Aurora Karima, Lady Emma and Murano. The colour and flavour nuances of the strawberries vary from variety to variety. But they are always shiny red, smooth, juicy and the look alone makes your mouth water! In collaboration with the Proefcentrum Hoogstraten investments are made in research and development, so that Coöperatie Hoogstraten the best variety for each season. Growers can go there for advice and training on varieties and cultivation methods, so that they can guarantee top quality all year round.
In terms of quality, four categories are distinguished based on external characteristics. From Golden Dubbel Extra (EE) to Extra (E) and Extra Direct (ED). The experienced inspectors of the cooperative determine the quality. Retailers, exporters and consumers can rest assured: all strawberries from the Cooperative Hoogstraten are of top quality.
Hoogstraten Extra quality strawberries are classified into 4 categories: GOLD, Double Extra (EE), Extra (E) and Extra Direct (ED). This classification is based on the external characteristics of the strawberries. Overview of the categories:
GOLD
EE
E
ED
Hoogstraten strawberry grower
Jef Ryvers
Hoogstraten strawberries are inspected and sorted into uniform quality blocks. A distinction is made between greenhouse cultivation, open field cultivation and everbearers. Each recognizable by its own box (Tabletop, Openfield, Everbearer). After cooling, the strawberries are offered via simultaneous auction, together with similar products from other Flemish cooperatives.
Do cut strawberries lose their sweet taste faster? Be sure to leave the stem on the strawberry when you wash them to eat. If you remove the crown before washing, the strawberry will absorb water like a sponge, and your strawberry will lose its wonderful taste. What a waste!
Wondering where your strawberries come from? It's easy to find out! Each of our strawberry containers has a unique QR code or tracking number. You can easily scan the QR code with your smartphone's camera. Don't have a smartphone? Then enter the tracking code online. This way, you can immediately discover where your strawberries come from when they - after a stop at the auction - end up at your home.
Our Hoogstraten Strawberries are the perfect example of pure craftsmanship and exceptional taste. With the Dan Is' t Goe campaign we show how a Hoogstraten Strawberry tastes: full of sweetness, juiciness and love grown by our proud growers. One bite and you know it right away: Then it's good!
More information about Dan is 't goe!Do cut strawberries lose their sweet taste faster? Be sure to leave the stem on the strawberry when you wash them to eat. If you remove the crown before washing, the strawberry will absorb water like a sponge, and your strawberry will lose its wonderful taste. What a waste!
Tasty Hoogstraten Strawberries are available all year round. Even in the cold winter months. This is partly possible because our growers have their strawberry plants at Coöperatie Hoogstraten in storage. The plants spend their extended winter rest there so that we can spread the cultivation. In addition, an innovative cultivation technique under lighting, the extensive knowledge and the unbridled enthusiasm are the ingredients for this unique product.
To ensure you can enjoy sweet and healthy strawberries all year round, we rely on no fewer than 180 passionate growers. Our "sweet family" gets up before dawn to care for all the strawberry plants with great patience and precision. Our growers in Belgium and the Netherlands work towards a common goal: to grow healthy strawberries for you that are exceptionally tasty and, moreover, grown with respect for our nature.
We guarantee quality.
