The greenhouses on the Vegetable Island in Lake Constance can hardly be called modern. They are outdated, low, small, and cultivation is done in the open field. Still, the growers are perfectly able to make good money this way. That’s thanks to the regional sales through the Reichenau Gemüse cooperative and the premium that’s paid for regional produce. Christian Müller of Reichenau Gemüse talks about the region’s importance in Southern Germany, and how the cooperative goes along with modernization in greenhouse horticulture.
The Reichenau-Gemüse-Vertriebs eG sales cooperative unites the 80 hectares of open field and 40 hectares of greenhouse cultivation on the Gemüseinsel, the biggest island in Lake Constance. Their product range is rounded out by another 18 hectares of open field and 14 hectares of greenhouse cultivation from the mainland, and trade in other fresh produce. There used to be more wholesalers on the island, but Reichenau is the only one that’s left. The products stay mainly in the Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria region. The company supplies to supermarkets (for the time being they try not to work with discounters) but also retailers and hospitality with smaller orders. The company had a 55 million Euro revenue last year, and employs 80 people.
Vegetables from the mainland
Since a few years, Reichenau Gemüse also has supplies from the mainland. Over five years ago, five entrepreneurs from the Vegetable Island decided to grow bell peppers on the mainland in an 11 hectare (now 13 hectare) greenhouse. In 2014, Benjamin Wagner’s greenhouse was added: 3 hectares of organic production. For both companies, a lack of space and a lack of facilities for high-tech cultivation was an argument to choose to leave the island. In addition, largescale greenhouse cultivation would change the face of the island, and given the touristic character that isn’t an option.
No mass production
These modern companies form a sharp contrast with the nurseries on the island itself. Take Egino Wehrle’s company, for instance. This family company’s oldest greenhouse is nearly forty years old. They grow in the open field there: cucumbers in summer, lettuce in winter. “The production is a lot lower than that of other horticulture companies, and the labour intensity is high,” Müller says. “The majority of the acreage isn’t profitable now, if you don’t market it well. Only by selling the produce locally and under a regional label, are they able to get a good price for their produce.” And even then, the sector is under pressure: the number of companies is decreasing, and throughout Southwest Germany, vegetable growers have trouble finding successors.
Growth and origin
With the expansion on the mainland, the cooperative has grown significantly. And in 2014, the company’s new cooling facility was opened. Now, at the main office, which is naturally on the Vegetable Island as well, they have seven cold stores and room for another five packing lines. New buildings were opened for the staff as well – all in all, the company building doubled in size. Müller is looking to the future with optimism. “Knowing where your food comes from is becoming increasingly important, something we’ve seen all too well during the EHEC crisis. For too long, the origin of the produce was unknown.”
Author: Arlette Sijmonsma
Author: Arlette Sijmonsma
