Demand goes down along with the temperature

The start of the year 2016 meant the return of the winter in Germany. While there was no frost, yet, in western Germany in the North East of Germany it has been freezing continuously, in many places even as cold as-13 degrees Celsius. The winter has Berlin, the German capital, in its icy grip as well. “The lowering temperatures lead to a lower demand in the trade,” explains Andreas Lange of the company Peter Keuthmann in Berlin. “The customers don’t go out with these temperatures and the weekly street markets are cancelled. If it is below zero the fruit and vegetables freeze.”

Winter in Berlin

"People have had enough”

At the moment the temperatures are around -6 Celsius. “And people have had enough during the holidays,” continues the trader, “Especially this week will be a very quiet week.”

Reasonable prices

At the moment the trader gets his products mainly from Italy and Spain. “Peppers, zucchini, eggplant or cucumber, we have all these products for very reasonable prices and the availability is good." The lower demand means a surplus of products. “There are no products that are particularly expensive. There is enough available.”

“It is bad for business if the frost continues”

The wholesale trade is extremely dependent on the temperature. “When the temperatures are around zero or a little bit above, then the customers will venture out again. It is bad for business if the frost continues,” concludes the expert.

Increase in February

Andreas Lange expects an increase in demand at the beginning of February. “The Fruit Logistica fair will take place in Berlin. And when the city and the hotels are full, we will notice it too, because the hotels and restaurants order more products. And in March the trade will be in full swing again.”

Andreas Lange
Peter Keuthmann GmbH & Co. KG
Beusselstraße 44 N-Q, 10553 Berlin-Fruchthof
Phone +49 30/39 40 99-0
info@keuthmann.net
www.keuthmann.net