The Roscano Agretto (Italian product name) does not have a pronounced taste like the wild garlic or chives, say the specialists. But by the way it looks and can be presented, it cannot simply be compared with the usual leeks and herbs. The Salsola is usually offered in bundles of 150 grams, of which about 10 pieces are presented in a wooden or IFCO box on the shelf. Per bundle, the average (wholesale) price is currently between 1.40 and 1.50 euros.
'Not a bombshell’
“We have included the product in our range in 2016 and noticed that weekly marketers and restaurants are particularly interested in it. It can very well be compared to items such as Tuscan cabbage and coloured beet varieties,” says Marie Pigors, Sales Director of Naturkost Kontor Bremen GmbH. This year, because of the large losses, all quantities were already sold out within one and a half weeks. Pigors: “About a third of the product did not pass our quality tests because they dried up quickly.”
Although the Naturkost Ernst Weber GmbH did not notice any significant quality problems, the purchaser in question, Giuseppe Geraci, confirms the seasonality of the goods. The goods are sourced from the specialized wholesaler of a partner company to the south of Rome. “We usually offer the Salsola from late January to April, but only in limited quantities. It's not a bombshell at the moment; it's a niche item found mostly in specialized organic stores." Among other things, because of the relatively neutral taste, Geraci believes that the demand for Salsola could grow in the years to come.
For more information:
Naturkost Kontor Bremen GmbH
in the Frischezentrum (Bremen Wholesale Market)
Spezialitätenhalle Tor 14