Overall, Baden can look back on a relatively cold, but strong-selling Holy Week. "Easter sales were very pleasing overall, and compared to the previous year we were even able to record a plus. This is again related to the fact that at that time there was still the after-effect due to the Corona crisis," describes Baris Karaman, Managing Director of the gastro-wholesale company of the same name based at the Karlsruhe wholesale market.
The early Easter period was detrimental to asparagus sales, Karaman sums up. "The first regional early asparagus hit the market just in time for Easter, but in small quantities. Only from week 16-17 will there be enough quantities to meet demand accordingly. Nevertheless, prices are now trending directly downward after Easter."
Shortage of onions
In terms of volume, standard items in particular, especially iceberg and mixed lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers, as well as onions and lemons, were well received during Holy Week, according to Karaman, who mainly supplies caterers and bulk consumers in Karlsruhe, Pforzheim and southern Baden. "Until 10-15 years ago, there were always shortages of certain items at the holidays, whether Christmas or Easter. Nowadays, the complete range is usually available in sufficient quantities. Only with onions, which we currently purchase mainly from Spain, do we find it difficult to find goods in convincing qualities. This is also reflected in the price, which is 20-30 percent above last year's level. Across the board, however, price levels seem to be returning to some normalcy."
The Corona pandemic is known to have left deep scars on the domestic restaurant industry. Says Karaman, "Within my clientele, I can only think of one or two insolvencies off the top of my head; otherwise, the restaurant industry has weathered the crisis well. Nevertheless, there are minor differences between the individual supply areas in which we operate, but these also existed before the crisis. The situation is also largely stable in the area of large-scale consumers, whether schools, daycare centers or retirement homes."
Relocation and own brand
For many years now, the Karaman company has been based at the local wholesale market site. Since the fall of 2021, the gastro-wholesaler can be found in a temporary location, soon the actual move to the brand-new and modern equipped is imminent. "Although the capacity has remained almost the same with a total of about 400 m2, at the old location only part of the area was cooled. In the new building, the entire hall area is equipped with state-of-the-art cooling technology, so we are ready for the future. Parallel to the move, we are also launching our new private label Karle for spices, olive (oil) and other foodstuffs. With this private label, we want to appeal to regular customers as well as other wholesalers and restaurateurs."
Further information:
Baris Karaman
Karaman | Obst & Gemüse Großhandel
Großmarkt Karlsruhe
Tel.: 0721 / 961 41 28 - 0
Fax: 0721 / 961 41 28 - 10
Mobil: 0172 / 10 10 922
[email protected]
www.karaman-ka.de
http://karle-ka.de/