Früchte Eder GmbH of Kirchham began selling the first nectarines and peaches from Spain about a month ago. "The yields are higher than last year despite the weather conditions in Spain. End consumers are mainly asking for larger calibers, i.e. 18 pieces per 4 kg. Currently, the price is 2.75 to 3.00 EUR/kg. Retirement homes and hospitals, on the other hand, are more interested in smaller calibers of 26 pieces per 4 kg," Managing Director Robert Eder informs us. The company has 800 m² of refrigerated space at its disposal with a stock of goods worth 150,000 EUR.
Photo: Früchte Eder GmbH
Sales start of Italian goods
"Retirement homes, however, buy nectarines only as soon as they are cheaper than apples. Hotels also tend to ask for smaller calibers at the moment." This week also saw the start of sales of Italian produce. "The stone fruits from Italy are much cheaper, while the quality is also a bit lower. The quantity of nectarines is rather low, but there are slightly more peaches from Italy." White-fleshed nectarines of good quality sell for 3.30 EUR/kg, Eder said.
Overall, however, he says he notices that consumers are more frugal on average. "Our regular customers, however, are among the clientele who are looking for higher-quality products and are also willing to pay more accordingly. Thus, in the case of cherries, it is mainly fruit with 32+ and 34+ that is purchased. After all, it counts: The bigger the fruit, the better the taste," says Eder. Since the company is located just before the border with Austria, he can count buyers from all over Bavaria as well as from the neighboring country among his customers.
German freight forwarders lack truck drivers
So far, there have been no problems with the transport of goods from Italy, France and Spain. However, there have been complications with the sourcing of German goods, he said. "The local forwarding companies simply lack the personnel, especially truck drivers. In addition, the legislature has imposed more and more restrictions in recent years. For example, younger people are no longer allowed to drive 7-ton trucks, but only 3.5-ton trucks," Eder says.
"A lot of people seem to want tolls. However, if that comes into effect, citizens will have to pay for it. After all, suppliers from abroad will have to add the tolls to their prices. It's a similar story with the minimum wage: on the one hand, Germans want it, but on the other hand they wonder why the price of strawberries has to go up by one or two euros," Eder points out.
At the time of the pandemic, he says, most of his main customers, i.e. the restaurant and hotel industry, were down, which is why they decided to set up their own retail business at that time. "The business is doing very well. Businesses that focused only on wholesale were left behind. To keep up, you also have to ensure high quality."
Further information:
Robert Eder
Früchte Eder GmbH
Simbacher Str. 11 c
94148 Kirchham/Tutting
Tel.: 0 85 33 / 9 18 90-0
E-Mail: [email protected]
Webseite: https://www.fruechte-eder.de