The current potato market is characterised by an abundant supply and restrained demand. "Demand is still quite modest and we hope that sales will pick up a little towards Christmas," says Slave Spaseski, a potato wholesaler at Berlin Wholesale Market. Due to the wet weather, the quality this year is not particularly convincing. "This leads to many trying to get rid of their goods as quickly as possible so that they only have to store these lower-quality batches for a short time. This in turn leads to a corresponding price pressure on the market."
The wholesaler is currently offering his customers German and Dutch table potatoes as well as French produce. "Normally, the first Annabelle potatoes from Cyprus arrive around St. Nicholas' Day, but I have not yet been offered any. However, it should also be noted that these so-called winter potatoes are not a volume driver compared to the proven early potatoes in spring, but rather a niche product for specialists. Furthermore, we have noticed that the large barbecue potatoes, which are particularly popular at Christmas markets, are currently in short supply."
Slave Spaseski (2nd from left) and team during FreshPlaza.de's visit to the wholesale market in February 2023. In addition to potatoes and onions, the company also markets garlic.
German vegetable onions
Similar to the ware potatoes, the onion market is also characterised by low prices, Spaseski continues. "In the beginning, there were a lot of problematic batches, but currently the quality is consistently good." Onions account for about 20 percent of Openica GmbH's total sales and are therefore less important than potatoes. "We also rely exclusively on produce of German origin in the onion sector. We do not even source the larger vegetable onions from Spain, but from local partners. Although these are somewhat smaller than their Spanish counterparts, they have a lower water content and an excellent consistency, which is particularly appreciated by the catering industry."
For more information:
Slave Spaseski
Openica GmbH Potatoes & Onions
Wholesale market Berlin
Telephone: +49 30 390 392 71
Fax: +49 30 390 392 73
E-Mail: [email protected]
www.openica.de