The Dutch experience in the Balkans: How to avoid mistakes with raspberries and blueberries?

Within the framework of the initiative "Dutch Solutions for Bulgarian Fruits," Bulgarian producers visited farms and experimental stations in the Netherlands to exchange experiences with specialists from the sector. Agri.BG was also part of the visit. It was there that we met Dutch farmer and consultant Hans Puijk – a third-generation producer of raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries, who is also actively working in the Balkans, including with farms in Serbia. "I am different from most farmers and consultants because I am a third-generation producer of raspberries and berry crops," Puijk began his story. His family produces not only fruit for retail chains but also planting material, certified as disease-free. In addition to the Netherlands, he also has a farm in Serbia, where he tests different varieties, substrates, and technologies to make his recommendations applicable in Balkan conditions. "We cannot give advice if we have not tested it ourselves and in practice. In the ...