To mark the start of the Cypriot potato season, we spoke to Marco Stahl of Tsiourvas Ltd & Co, whose outlets include the Stuttgart wholesale market. "This week, sales are really starting. There have been some brief rains, which is why the volumes are still a bit low at the moment. In the next few days, with better weather, more will be available again, so that there will be sufficient goods, especially for the Christmas business," says Marco Stahl. "We expect about 50-100 tons per week from the red soil area in Cyprus." It will primarily be the Annabelle variety that will be on offer, he adds.
"The rains were only short, which is why harvesting is okay again now. We do not expect any shortages. Moreover, good weather of over 20 degrees has been predicted, so it will still be possible to harvest quite a bit," Stahl says. The season for Cypriot potatoes began in week 47 and will continue until June/July, depending on the weather.
Hoping for Christmas business
Supplies are sent to weekly markets, supermarkets and wholesale markets, as well as suppliers to restaurants, retailers and delicatessens. "Demand has remained the same as last year. For the last three to four weeks, business at the wholesale markets has been a little slow. It's also quiet at our own wholesale market stand right now." The barriers for consumers to eat out are simply higher now than they were before, Stahl said. "Now that Christmas is around the corner, I think demand will pick up again and there will be a more positive mood," Stahl says.
The wholesale market in Stuttgart is a bit quiet at the moment, he says, and some uncertainty is also being felt locally. "How sales in the catering trade will continue remains to be seen. But since the fruit and vegetable sector is part of the food sector, we continue to be an important partner."
"With the rising freight costs, of course, we now have to see how we must deal with this. On Cyprus, however, there are still few problems in this regard." On Cyprus, he said, they are now starting with the fresh crop and are they are very confident. "The goods are fresh and of good quality. Prices remain similar to last year."
For more information:
Marco Stahl
TSIOURVAS GmbH & Co
Langwiesenweg 28
70327 Stuttgart / Großmarkt
Tel: +49 711 / 90110811
Fax: +49 711 / 90110817
E-Mail: marco-stahl@tsiourvas.de
Web: http://www.tsiourvas.de/