German vegetable growers can look back on two exceptionally wet years. The wet field and climate conditions are sometimes particularly troublesome for German vegetable farmers. "Every year is always a new challenge, and climate change makes it even more difficult for us processors and especially for the producers. Prices are rising, and we are noticing this quite clearly in both the conventional and the organic sectors, especially in the run-up to the upcoming campaign. "More and more purchase volumes are being secured through contracts, but even that offers no real guarantee," says Wilfried Schaffer (right), organic buyer and seller at Meyer Gemüsebearbeitung GmbH in Twistringen.
This is reflected accordingly in the marketing of vegetable products, continues Schaffer, referring to the continuing inflation and the associated price sensitivity among consumers. "Of course, it's not getting any easier, shifts are happening. Specifically regarding organic, we are seeing that discounters are growing. Meanwhile, the high-priced brand product has a hard time, as increasingly cheaper alternatives are sought."
© Meyer Gemüsebearbeitung GmbHLaurenz Meyer has been at the helm of the growing company as Managing Partner since 1988.
Stable organic share
Meyer Gemüsebearbeitung GmbH was founded in its current form in 1984 and is mainly dedicated to the processing and marketing of regional vegetable crops. The range of products offered by the group, which has locations in northern Germany and Poland, includes both frozen products and fresh vegetables. The main customer is the processing industry. Schaffer: "Our organic share has been relatively stable at around 10 percent for several years. At the beginning of the year, we set targets, and we have been able to achieve these approximately in recent years. Despite more difficult conditions, we have not yet noticed any reactions from our organic producers. Nevertheless, at the trade fair, we could already hear that some producers are wondering whether and how to continue growing organic vegetables."
At the product level, Schaffer has observed some encouraging developments. "Carrots remain our strongest seller in both segments and are actually growing steadily. But beetroot is also worth mentioning: in the organic sector in particular, this item has been showing the greatest growth for several years."
© Meyer Gemüsebearbeitung GmbHAerial view of the modern company site in Twistringen, Lower Saxony.
Increasing efficiency to combat rising costs
Despite the omnipresent challenges, the management of the company, which is based in the district of Diepholz, is looking confidently to the future. "The change in consumer behavior, towards eating more vegetables, is undoubtedly to our advantage. The climate changes already mentioned are certainly a challenge but perhaps also an opportunity. In the long term, it is a matter of positioning ourselves as efficiently as possible to absorb increased costs, such as energy. This is the only way to remain competitive in the market," concludes Schaffer.
For more information:
Wilfried Schaffer
Meyer Gemüsebearbeitung GmbH
Hinterm Holze 10
27239 Twistringen
Phone: +49 4243 9311-0
Fax: +49 4243 9311-22
E-Mail: w.schaffer@gemuese-meyer.de
www.gemuese-meyer.de