In the winter season, there are traditionally a lot of specialties available in wholesale and retail. In Italy in particular, people have always relied on extraordinary fruits and vegetables. Zurich-based wholesaler Jehle AG is pleased with the current availability of goods, offering its customers the entire range of Italian products just in time for the holidays, says managing director Lukas Jehle.
The first artichokes of the new harvest
This year's artichoke campaign finally got started in mid-December, according to Jehle. "Because of the paltry harvest, the prices are relatively high, in the run-up to Christmas, however, the demand is there. According to my information, yields are around half as much as in the previous year. So the availability is a bit smaller than usual, but the quality is excellent. However, we still notice that the German-Swiss eat far less artichokes than the Italian-speaking Swiss."
Perline eggplants are very popular with vegans
Vegetables and lettuce
At the moment, aubergines are also doing very well with gastronomy suppliers; the Perline variety in particular is in great demand. "We tend to call this variety 'Vegan Sausages'. This variety is currently very popular because of its fine taste, especially with the restaurateurs we supply." The same is true for our colorful tomatoes, which are currently sourced from Sicily. "We previously had Italian tomatoes on offer, but these were not of the quality of the current product from Sicily. Our customers really appreciate the Merinda and Datterini varieties above all."
Colorful tomatoes quickly find their way into the retail and catering sectors
At the moment, Italian winter salads are also reaching the Zurich wholesale market in large volumes; the Castelfranco, Tartifo and Rosso Verona varieties, among others. "The availability is truly wonderful: All varieties are here just in time for Christmas. Exclusive varieties, like the Fiori Istriana, as well. For a mixture of Castelfranco and Chiccorino Rosso you easily pay €20 euros per kg on the wholesale market."
Leafy greens of Italian origin
Citrus fruits of all kinds
Finally, the Christmas season is also a peak season for citrus fruits. In this area, among other things the specialized assortment of Jehle AG contains Paterno seedy mandarins, Chinotto bitter oranges, Tacle clementines and bergamot lemons. "The cedri lemon, a large round lemon, is also very popular with confectioners because only the peel is used."
And finally, blood oranges of the popular Tarocco and Moro varieties are up for sale as well. However, they are not yet of the desired quality, explains Jehle. "This product is out too early in my opinion. Only after Christmas we will be able to offer the beautiful, colored blood oranges. Prices are quite expensive across the entire citrus segment," Jehle concludes.
Sicilian lemons with leaf
Expansion and Online Trade
The Zurich-based wholesaler is also currently in negotiations to open a new location in southern Germany, from where it will supply Italian restaurants and restaurants with fresh Italian products on a daily basis. "We are currently considering some options. A wholesaler in Munich has already agreed to take over part of our range. We also deal with online trading: We are already able to offer 18 of our products on one test page. If we can handle the software, we will probably release the final page in March or just in time for Easter."
For more information:
Jehle GASTRO AG
Bahnhofstrasse 61
5507 Mellingen
Tel.: 41 (56) 481 810 00
[email protected]
www.jehle-ag.ch