Due to the cold snap and the subsequent shortage of goods, the prices of Italian rocket have been adjusted upwards several times in recent weeks. "It was altogether too cold in the Italian growing areas, which had a corresponding effect on the supply of goods. As a result, we are currently observing record prices around €11/kg in sales. But warmer temperatures are now on forecast, which is why we expect prices to fall soon," reports Rasim Shateri, managing director of Gemex Handels GmbH at the Berlin wholesale market.
The wholesale company, founded in 1992, has specialized in direct imports of Italian rocket over the years and now has access to the popular leafy vegetable from Italy for twelve months of the year. "I'm happy for the growers, with whom we've been working for years, that you can now get a good price for the product. This is in contrast to other years, because normally the producer prices are much too low, in my opinion. What would be desirable for the producer would be a continuous purchase price around €7 to €8/kg."
Rasim Shateri with a wooden tray of rocket.
In parallel with year-round rocket imports, the full portfolio of Italian leafy greens is now being traded. Says Shateri, "We now source colorful lettuces and radicchio from Italy. In contrast to the exorbitant rocket prices, quotations for the remaining items have been acceptable so far. Demand is also satisfactory and stable."
Expanding the range of products
Gemex Handels GmbH has been dedicated to trading fresh fruits and vegetables as well as additional food and non-food items for 30 years now. "We once started as a modest delivery service and then after a few years were able to acquire a wholesale stand. Over the years, the stand area has grown little by little to what is now around 500 m2," says Shateri, describing the company's development.
The wholesale market operation's clientele consists of about 80 percent restaurants of all kinds, supplemented by resellers and owner-operated supermarkets. "We had to accept tough sales losses of up to 60 percent during the pandemic, but we still adapted flexibly to the circumstances. By marketing other items such as milk, sugar and hygiene supplies, we weathered the crisis well overall. What has also helped us is that many of our catering customers have successfully switched operations to a delivery or takeaway service. As a result, there have fortunately been hardly any insolvencies."
Further information:
Rasim Shateri 
Gemex Handels GmbH
Großmarkt Berlin
Phone: +49 (0)30 / 396 70 25
Phone: +49 (0)30 / 396 58 55
Fax : +49 (0)30 / 398 79 391
E-Mail: [email protected]
https://www.gemex-berlin.de/