Michael Rieke of the interest group 'Kölner Großmarkt', German forwholesale market Cologne, explains: “There is a valid council decision from 2007 which states that the wholesale market in Cologne should move to Cologne Marsdorf before 2020.” But until now the planning is still under developed. “There is still no agreement on the zoning and plans of the city. We continuously inform the responsible parties of these problems, we contact political parties, and the Cologne Chamber of Commerce, as well as the public but so far little has happened. The 180 companies based at the wholesale market and the 2,000 employees lack security about the planning and the time is slipping away.”
Capacity reached at the Cologne wholesaleThe 1940 founded wholesale market in Cologne is still, as it was in earlier days, one of the most important suppliers markets in North Rhine-Westphalia. About 1.2 million metric tons of produce is traded every year. “The current location is, according to our information, and the capacity has been reached completely,” states Michael Rieke, "And our range continuous to expand every year, so in addition to the traditional fruit and vegetable companies, wholesalers in Cash&Carry, beverages, frozen fish food, packaging and meat, are using this location intensively. One reason is the location, which is ideally situated.”
Important wholesale market for North Rhine-Westphalia
“The wholesale market in Cologne is a further link in the markets for many hypermarkets and wholesalers in all parts of North Rhine-Westphalia," continues Rieke, “Furthermore, the local trade is of great importance for the sales of our regional products, in particular asparagus and strawberries. Overall the wholesale market supplies approximately four to six million consumers."
The terrain of the wholesale market in Cologne Bonntor
Source: panoramio.com
But at the moment the stand holders at the wholesale market in Cologne are confronted with an insecure future. “The dissatisfaction among wholesalers continues to grow because the politicians and the management of the wholesale market won’t cooperate with each other. There is still no planning, and thus no security although it has been requested multiple times.”
The Marsdorf location is the only option
Other locations, even outside of Cologne city, were said to be options according to the election campaign in 2015, although these sites haven’t been assessed at all. Therefore the Marsdorf location is the only option. “The new location Marsdorf feels for the distributors and traders as decided,” states the spokesperson for the interest group. “Of course, the current location is very centrally located, in the heart of Cologne. The move to Marsdorf would mean that our customers and traders have to travel longer, on roads that still have to be built. And in view of the traffic situation an access to the motorway, just as at Eifeltor, has to be built. There are plenty of details that have to be worked out, together with the Cologne Chamber of Commerce. All this shows is that the plans for the new location still leave something to be desired. And for the move of the supporting companies, such as the logistics service providers, large areas have to be available. And have to be developed with all the rules and regulations, such as the noise reduction plan, in hand.
Demands of the interest group “Kölner Großmarkt”
The time of the move is drawing near. The wholesalers are aware of it and they are waiting with everything on hold. “The wholesalers don’t know what they should do. Investments, for instance for refrigerators or fire safety, that should be made, are put on hold. It isn’t doable in such a short period of time,” explains Michael Rieke. He insists: “The interest group ‘Kölner Großmarkt’ should be more involved in the process and planning. Regrettably that hasn’t, or only slightly, happened until now. And we insist on a new schedule. The current location should be closed, according to the decision in 2007, come 1 January 2020. That is an impossible deadline for the move. The wholesale companies cannot prepare if there is no location available, the city council should realize that too. We need more time and demand an extension of the use of the current Bonntor location until 2025.”
Closing the market, despite the problems, is purely hypothetical, “That would cause a massive decrease in the supply possibilities of weekly street markets, restaurants, hospitals and independent grocers,” states Rieke about this doom scenario. “And there would be no possibility for additional purchases by supermarkets and discounter grocery stores. The Dutch competitors would improve their position and the supply of regional products would decrease clearly.” An extra reason for the city of Cologne to provide a solution for the wholesale market in Cologne and its traders.
Michael Rieke
Interessengemeinschaft Kölner Großmarkt e.V.
c/o Fermin Montaner GmbH & Co. OHG
Marktstraße 10, 51968 Köln
rieke@koelner-grossmarkt.de