Früchte Heep offers mangoes and exotics all year round. "Currently, we receive mangoes from Spain, Brazil and Peru," Norbert Heep, managing director of the Cologne-based Früchte Heep company, tells us. "We have a producer from Spain who explicitly grows mangoes of the Kent variety. Kent is characterized by a very good taste and is also fiber-free. Usually, people are familiar with the Osteen variety from Spain, whose quality does not come close to Kent," says Heep.
Mango prices in the normal range
"Accordingly, we are very satisfied with the Kent mangoes." Demand for the mangoes is currently good, he said. "The price of the goods from overseas is currently at a higher level, as it is low season. However, the air-freighted merchandise, in turn, is some three times more expensive. Products from Spain are priced somewhere in the middle." In addition to Kent, Heep also offers the Keitt variety.
Reluctance to buy exclusive products
"High-priced and exclusive products are a little less in demand than standard product right now," Heep says. "We are known for different product lines that are marketed in parallel. These vary from standard products of good quality, to exclusive products such as the air-freighted mangoes. The latter of course has a completely different cost structure due to the transport mode than the goods that were brought in by boat."
A certain reluctance to 
buy can be felt in the latter product segments, Heep said. "You can see this in the producer prices that have been achieved recently, among other things. Consumers are currently not willing to pay 2.50 to 3.00 euros for a kilo of tomatoes, as was the case two to three weeks ago. Accordingly, the sale has also fallen. Producer prices have had to adjust accordingly," says Heep.
Nevertheless, top quality premium goods are still selling, although sales are somewhat more restrained than usual. "Customers who used to buy only the top premium goods are now taking a two-pronged approach and also helping themselves to the standard goods in order to also be able to meet the competition at the discounter."
Although he is not currently affected by the high energy costs to the same extent as producers, for example, his goods naturally have to be stored in a cool place. "Once it gets colder in the winter, our refrigeration costs will drop. Of course, when it starts freezing, we have to start heating."
Producer prices are performing well
"As a distributor, we try to serve the increased costs of producers on the one hand, and at the same time take into account the wishes of customers who do not want to pay too high prices in the current situation. In recent months, especially after the recent increase in the minimum wage, producers have received a significant increase for their products. Auction prices in Holland and Belgium, for example, testify to the fact that producers should now be able to cover some of their increased costs."
Images: Früchte Heep
For more information:
Norbert Heep
Früchte Heep GmbH
Markstr. 10
50968 Köln
Tel.: +49 - (0)221 - 93 70 73-0
Fax: +49 - (0)221 - 93 70 73 -25
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web: https://www.frucht.de/index.html