The Götterfrucht brand, whose rights holder has been Grundhöfer GmbH based in Frankfurt since the end of 2022, was previously known for oranges. Starting this year, clementines and other products will also operate under this label: "We are expanding the Götterfrucht brand to include persimmons, grapes and our entire lemon range. The marketing of the clementines and the brand went extremely well, thanks in part to the owner Peter Grundhöfer, who has looked after the brand for more than 20 years and promoted it well in the Rhine-Main region," states authorised signatory Joachim Dimmer from Grundhöfer GmbH.
While it used to be found mainly in the Rhine-Main area, the brand is now to be placed throughout southern Germany, in Austria as well as in Switzerland. "Götterfrucht stands for a quality standard that we were able to guarantee this year already during the Italian grape season," says Dimmer. "The grape season is now drawing to a close. We look back on a very successful season, as our criteria were met and all lots met the quality standards."
Good start to the citrus season
I
n week 43, the first clementines of the Oronules variety arrived from Spain at Grundhöfer GmbH's Frankfurt Frischezentrum. "This year, the calibres are smaller than usual, which is due to the dry summer and the restrictions on the water supply in the affected Spanish communities," explains authorised signatory Joachim Dimmer.
"This season we are expecting more fruit of calibre 3 and 4 and less of calibre 1 and 2. However, the quality is excellent. Consumers were still a little cautious at the beginning. As soon as the temperatures have settled down again, the season should go over properly, as it does every year." This week, the Frankfurt-based company has loaded 10-15 tonnes of citrus. "However, the quantities will increase seriously from week to week. We get the goods from the classic Valencia at the start of the season, although we will also receive goods from more southern regions. The lemons of the Götterfrucht brand currently come from the Murcia region."
The organic share at Grundhöfer GmbH is around ten to twenty percent. "In Germany, Spain as well as in Italy, we obtain the organic products through contract farming. We only offer association products in order to be able to guarantee the areas and, above all, the supply," says Dimmer. In view of the high requirements and criteria, Dimmer observes that more and more market participants are concentrating either on the sale of conventional products or on organic goods.
Massive cost and price increases expected as of 1 December
The price level for lemons and clementines will be at last year's level, for oranges the price will be € 0.10 to € 0.20/kg higher. "As soon as the additional CO₂ component to the truck toll is introduced in Germany from 1 December, the toll costs will increase by 75 to 80 per cent," says Dimmer. "This will definitely have an impact on prices, but this will not affect anyone, at least until the beginning of December. The transport companies, however, already have to factor that in. This is a problem that many are not yet aware of. But the public outcry will certainly come."
The manager also notices that customers are now buying in a much more targeted, but also more conscious way. "Overall, people are no longer buying large volumes. First and foremost, younger consumers in particular are paying more attention to quality. A certain price sensitivity can still be felt, although issues such as sustainability, packaging and transparency in particular are playing a greater role - forcing one or two retailers to change their way of working."
For more information:
Joachim Dimmer
GRUNDHÖFER GmbH
Johann-Georg-Fahr-Anlage 1
60437 Frankfurt
Tel: 069 - 40 50 08 - 0
Fax: 069 - 40 50 08 - 88
E-Mail: [email protected]
Webseite: http://grundhoefer-frankfurt.de