The arrival of the first Lower Rhine asparagus in calendar week 10 officially kicked off this year's season. The first local seasonal delicacies were also well received at the Frischezentrum Frankfurt, thanks in part to the spring-like weather. "We are starting the season about ten days earlier than last year, and the first regional produce is expected to be available in about a week or two," says Chris Römer, a buyer and seller at Josef Stapf Großmarkt GmbH.
White and green asparagus from Italy.
The first, relatively modest quantities were mainly sold to regional weekly markets and specialist retailers. "We are talking about 50 to 60 boxes, which are offered at quite high prices. On average, the prices for the first asparagus are around 5 EUR/kg higher than last year. The prices are based on those of Dutch asparagus, which is also currently being sold at very high prices," Römer continues.
© Josef Stapf Großmarkt GmbH
Lower Rhine heated asparagus from Spargelhof Janßen.
In addition to the first domestic asparagus, Josef Stapf GmbH is also dedicated to the distribution of imported goods from Italy and Greece. Römer: "We received the first goods from Italy in calendar week 8 and are extremely satisfied with the quality so far. Depending on the sorting, the prices are around 4 EUR/kg below the level of Dutch asparagus. Furthermore, we offer Greek white asparagus, which is even a bit cheaper by comparison." In the green asparagus category, arrivals from Greece and Peru currently dominate the market. "In addition, we are now slowly entering the Spanish green asparagus season. However, the market dynamics for green asparagus are quite different from those for white asparagus, as it is now a year-round item."
Green and white asparagus of Greek origin.
Wet conditions affect the supply of goods from Spain
Aside from the asparagus business, numerous items, including berries and fruit vegetables, are currently being sourced from Spain. Due to the wet field conditions in the well-known growing regions of Huelva and Almeria, the current supply situation is under considerable pressure. "In some cases, there are entire fields that have been flooded. Given the circumstances, there are hardly any specific figures available, which presents us with major challenges in terms of marketing," outlines Römer. This also has an impact on the price situation of many items. "Remarkably high prices are currently being asked for berries and peppers. Within just under two weeks, prices have almost doubled."
On the procurement side, alternatives are being sought wherever possible. "We already source most of our strawberries from Greece and Italy anyway. Here, too, prices are being driven up in line with competition. However, we have no alternative sources of supply for peppers besides Spain. Morocco is about to end the season, and the Netherlands and Belgium will only be fully on the market by the end of the month. As a result, a supply gap is emerging here," he concludes.
Left: Wet field conditions are affecting fruit and vegetable growth in large parts of Spain. Right: Unusual exotics such as mangosteens and snack lemons are in increased demand in some areas, which is said to be due to short-lived hypes in social media such as TikTok.
Photo credit: Josef Stapf Großmarkt GmbH
For more information:
Chris Römer
Josef Stapf Großmarkt GmbH
Frischezentrum Frankfurt
Tel: +49 (0)69 400502200
office@josef-stapf.de
www.josef-stapf.de