With the first frost in late autumn, the first deliveries of lamb's lettuce arrived at Georg Obermaier, managing director of the fruit and vegetable wholesaler of the same name from Freiburg. "Through our online store, Obstkiste Freiburg, we
do not sell too much lamb's lettuce, although demand might increase again around Christmas. In my main business, i.e., servicing gastronomers or via the market stalls, lamb's lettuce is very popular with customers, as the fine quality is very appealing," says Obermaier.
Picture right by Georg Obermaier
"Lamb's lettuce is a bit more expensive than in previous years, as people are remembering that it is a lot of work to harvest it, especially since it is also hard to find laborers. Customers ask for fine lamb's lettuce with firm florets. Customers are also willing to pay more for quality goods. Overall, it is priced higher than in previous years, which is perfectly understandable given the high production costs."
Higher labor and energy costs were most evident in the company's transportation and logistics. On the other hand, he said, he has not yet been affected by inflation too much, as the restaurant industry continues to get good numbers. "One gastronomy customer of mine told me that he expects his customers will continue to go out to eat because they can still afford it."
Compared to last year, sales are back somewhat in the normal range. "Those who had the money to go out to eat will continue to do this. Those, on the other hand, who can't afford it, probably did not have much opportunity to do so before," Obermaier says. Obermaier generally does not really see large sales increases around Christmas.
"There are restaurateurs who close their business in the winter because either there are hardly any regional goods or they primarily operate in the summer. Then again, there are gastronomers who are just about constantly booked full. Nevertheless, it can be said that business tends to be weaker for us around Christmas time and the winter months than during the rest of the year," says Obermaier.
High demand for the Freiburg fruit crate and organic bananas
"The fruit crates have continued to be well received. Customers were also satisfied in terms of value for money. Most of these are existing customers, 'repeat customers, ' so to speak, although we were also able to win over new customers." The demand for organic products has also been increasing in recent years, he said, and they are in particular demand from Freiburg institutions such as schools and kindergartens. "Organic bananas are currently very much in demand. There is even more demand for them than for conventional bananas. However, I mostly sell conventional produce from controlled cultivation."
For more information:
Georg Obermaier
Obst- und Gemüsegroßhandel
Tel.: +49 (0) 761 50151
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web: https://gof-freiburg.de
E-Mail (fruit crate): [email protected]
Web (fruit crate): https://obstkiste-freiburg.de