At the Karlsruhe wholesale market, the traders based there are getting ready for the approaching Christmas trade. "It's still very quiet," reports Jürgen Weiler (right), stand manager at Rolf Koch GmbH. "Since mid-October, business has been rather slow, but that has always been the case anyway. Demand traditionally picks up noticeably from the end of November, marking the start of the Christmas trade."
Meanwhile, fruit from the Southern Hemisphere is increasingly coming to the foreground. Weiler: "We are currently offering ready-to-eat avocados from Chile, followed later by Peruvian produce. However, demand is quite restrained. The first Chilean cherries have also already arrived. This item is always in the higher price segment, with prices per kilo around 25 euros, but they are still slightly above the previous year's level."
Left: Early stone fruits of South African origin. At the very back: Nectacot.
Right: Ripe avocados from Chile.
In addition, the first overseas figs and stone fruits are also already being offered, the experienced fruit wholesaler continues. "We are currently offering our customers both Brazilian and Peruvian figs, with the latter being preferred in sales due to its good quality. The South African stone fruit campaign has also started: in addition to yellow nectarines and peaches, we are also once again sourcing the Nectacot, a cross between a nectarine and an apricot. We hope to be able to offer this great addition to our stone fruit portfolio until Christmas." With prices per kilo of around EUR 12, stone fruit is also more in the higher price segment, confirms Weiler.
Left: Peruvian figs. Right: Chilean sweet cherries.
Challenging procurement situation for citrus fruits
In the citrus fruit sector, goods from the Northern Hemisphere now dominate, although individual fruits continue to be sourced from overseas. "Orri clementines still come from Chile, but there was a small gap of about two weeks recently due to shipping delays. This also contributed to a slight price increase," outlines Weiler, pointing out the high value of the Orri clementine to consumers. "Due to the increasing demand, we now source Orri clementines from a wide range of countries, including Spain, Israel and overseas. In this respect, the product has become a sure-fire success, at least with our customers."
Finally, the management of Rolf Koch GmbH comments on the flood disaster in Spain and the feared shortages of numerous products of Spanish origin. "So far, the floods have not had a noticeable effect on the procurement of goods. Shortly after the storm, we ourselves were amazed that all orders, whether for oranges or vegetables, arrived on time. They probably had to take detours, but luckily they all arrived," they conclude.
Left: Chilean Orri clementines. Right: Spanish citrus fruit in the incoming goods department
Photo credit: Rolf Koch GmbH
For more information:
Jürgen Weiler
Rolf Koch GmbH - Fruchtprofis Karlsruhe
Karlsruhe Wholesale Market - Box 20, 58-60
Phone: 0049 (0) 721-614319
[email protected]
www.fruchtprofis-ka.de