How long the cherries will be in season depends heavily on the weather. The Wachau cherries do particularly well in the current summer temperatures, says Penz. “There is more and more demand because of an increased focus on regional and local products. However, due to competition from southern Europe and the Balkans, farmers have significantly reduced their acreage in recent years. There are no Wachau cherries in wholesale at present, as the overwhelming majority of Austrian retailers purchase their goods mainly from the usual countries. The fruit grower I work with has about six different varieties under cultivation: the cherries are available for a short time and his goal is to extend the season.”
Before the Wachau cherries arrived at the wholesaler's warehouse, the season had already started with Greek cherries. “At the moment we mainly have products from Romania, from our local partner.They are cheaper in the wholesale: between €0.50 and 1.00." According to Penz, the early varieties are generally relatively small and not very sweet. "The Wachau cherries we offer have big fruits right from the beginning, the are sweet tasting and have a relatively long shelf life. In contrast to these Wachau cherries, we still have check and sort the Romanian products extensively.”
Year-round mint delivery
Apart from the products of the regional producers as well as partners along the Danube, the GmbH also has its own production company. On its own fields, the experienced supplier tries to cultivate new and surprising fruit specialties, since he exclusively supplies specialized restaurateurs in Germany and abroad. “Recently, our pineapple mint is back in season. Although this is a niche article, it is continuously in demand in Germany and Austria. That’s why, a few years ago, we decided to offer more of it and the acreage has since been expanded every year.”
The branch started with normal peppermint, says Penz: “There were some inquiries and we started production. After that came red mint and Moroccan mint. The season starts in April and runs until the beginning of November. Next season, we also want to grow pineapple mint in the greenhouse, so we can offer this product in the winter as well. Especially in our customer group, the year-round availability of exceptional products in different packaging units is very important.”
Wholesale abroad
Frisches Früchtchen GmbH is a producer and wholesaler based in Melk (Lower Austria), which specializes to a large extent in the supply of restaurateurs. To supplement its own products, the company works closely with regional producers and partner companies along the Danube. Furthermore, the wholesaler supplies overseas customers in the Black Sea ports of Constanza and Varna, on the Adriatic in Dubrovnik and on the Atlantic in Casablanca.
For more information:
frisches.früchtchen gmbH
Hauptplatz 10/2
A 3390 Melk, Österreich
Telefon: + 43 2752 522 29
Mobil: +43 676 847 379 200
E-Mail: frisches@fruechtchen.eu
Web: www.fruechtchen.eu