Traditionally, the completion of the harvest and storage is followed by an initial interim assessment of the potato yields. "There are more than enough normal table potatoes to meet demand," reports Volker Reuter from the potato wholesaler Reuter & HEKA, which has locations in Gelsenkirchen and at the Duisburg wholesale market. "Unfortunately, however, the harvest of potatoes for roasting in France and the Netherlands was not so encouraging. Accordingly, it will probably be difficult to supply the Christmas markets this year in line with demand." Nevertheless, the current wholesale prices for roast potatoes are at the same level as last year.
Overall, the potato market can be described as 'quiet', according to the potato wholesaler, whose clientele primarily includes gastronomy businesses and market suppliers. "The ongoing uncertainty is shaping the markets, which in turn means that demand has been rather modest lately." With the first pre-orders from the Christmas markets, the Christmas business has already begun, he says.
The onion market is also proving to be quite difficult at the moment, continues Reuter. "Due to the weather, there are many quality problems across the range. The flood disaster in Spain is an additional complicating factor, which also affects the procurement of sweet onions, some of which are grown in the flood area. We will probably feel the effects of this soon. Transportation costs will rise before Christmas anyway, and I cannot rule out the possibility that this year these costs will increase even further."
Lautrec garlic
Since its founding in 1977, Reuter & HEKA GmbH has been located at the Duisburg wholesale market. To meet the high demand for potatoes and onions, a second branch was opened in Gelsenkirchen in 1994. In addition to table potatoes and onions, the company also imports and distributes garlic, primarily from Spain and France. Reuter: "Lautrec goods are always very popular at this time of year. Unfortunately, due to quality problems and increased waste, this product is also in short supply and expensive this year."
Photo credit: Reuter & HEKA GmbH
For more information:
Volker Reuter
Reuter & HEKA GmbH
Duisburg wholesale market
Phone: +49 203 311136
[email protected]
www.kartoffeln-zwiebeln.de