For many years the Oldenburg area has been known for its strawberries and outdoor crops. Certainly there is a good reason that the local producer group ELO eG is one of the leading strawberry marketers in Germany, with an annual yield of approximately 12,000 tons. However, there are currently many developments taking place in this area: berry production through protected cultivation as well as constant differentiation of the product range are the main features of the company's long-term strategy. This is confirmed by the company’s management in a conversation with Freshplaza.
Managing Director Werner Freese
Regional berry fruit
The current season in the west of Lower Saxony is relatively difficult due to the weather. Persistent warm spells and heavy rain led to some large crop failures for the outdoor growers. Due to the early start of the strawberry season in Lower Saxony, regional products arrived on the market at about the same time as the produce from the southern growing regions and there was a corresponding price pressure. "Meanwhile, the market has recovered to some extent; prices are at a stable level," says Managing Director Christoph Hövelkamp. Due to the current weather conditions, protected cultivation is rapidly gaining in importance within the region. "Especially with regard to raspberries, the overwhelming majority of local growers produce their fruit in tunnels today."
Regional berry fruit
The current season in the west of Lower Saxony is relatively difficult due to the weather. Persistent warm spells and heavy rain led to some large crop failures for the outdoor growers. Due to the early start of the strawberry season in Lower Saxony, regional products arrived on the market at about the same time as the produce from the southern growing regions and there was a corresponding price pressure. "Meanwhile, the market has recovered to some extent; prices are at a stable level," says Managing Director Christoph Hövelkamp. Due to the current weather conditions, protected cultivation is rapidly gaining in importance within the region. "Especially with regard to raspberries, the overwhelming majority of local growers produce their fruit in tunnels today."
View of the new company headquarters in Vechta-Langförden
In addition to switching to new cultivation methods, the ELO eG also offers a diverse assortment and is continuously testing new varieties. A regional fruit producer will this year start with sweet cherries on a protected area of about 3 hectares, according to managing director Werner Freese. “The respective growers have primarily specialized in strawberries, but at the same time product portfolios are expanded. At the end of the month, we expect the first yields, and we will then offer cherries on the market until the end of July.” Next year, they plan to launch regional blueberries: “We have offered blueberries for some years now from other areas. The sales channels are already there. Because of all that we decided to grow them locally.”
In addition to switching to new cultivation methods, the ELO eG also offers a diverse assortment and is continuously testing new varieties. A regional fruit producer will this year start with sweet cherries on a protected area of about 3 hectares, according to managing director Werner Freese. “The respective growers have primarily specialized in strawberries, but at the same time product portfolios are expanded. At the end of the month, we expect the first yields, and we will then offer cherries on the market until the end of July.” Next year, they plan to launch regional blueberries: “We have offered blueberries for some years now from other areas. The sales channels are already there. Because of all that we decided to grow them locally.”
Pak Choi to Holland
The cultivation and marketing of new crops are also among the main activities of the sales cooperative and its members. The Regional Chamber of Agriculture has even set up a separate production company for this purpose, which deals exclusively with trials of varieties. Hövelkamp: "Our strategy is simply differentiation, which is why we are constantly introducing new products, at regular intervals." He gives Pak Choi as an example: “Demand is in its infancy here, but as an export item for the Dutch market it is very well marketed.”
Fresh rucola from regional fields
However, cultivating new products is not the only requirement to remain competitive in today's trade. Since the ELO is strongly focused on the national food retail trade, it is all the more important to be able to offer the respective products in relevant quantities, desired quality and the correct packaging. “Packaging and labeling are provided by our customers, which is why we can market our products nationwide and in neighboring countries. Our goal, however, is to offer superior quality over a longer period, regardless of the weather. This ability to deliver is currently our biggest challenge.”
However, cultivating new products is not the only requirement to remain competitive in today's trade. Since the ELO is strongly focused on the national food retail trade, it is all the more important to be able to offer the respective products in relevant quantities, desired quality and the correct packaging. “Packaging and labeling are provided by our customers, which is why we can market our products nationwide and in neighboring countries. Our goal, however, is to offer superior quality over a longer period, regardless of the weather. This ability to deliver is currently our biggest challenge.”
The team of the ELO Producer Cooperative
New company headquarters
The producer wholesale Langförden-Oldenburg eG is a sales cooperative with about 50 members within the region. Today's product range includes berries, hard and soft fruit, as well as mushrooms, lettuce and root & cabbage vegetables. For a year now, the company has a brand-new company headquarters with integrated loading and unloading and a fleet of vehicles, around which the nationwide delivery and export businesses are built. Right next to the large company is ELO-Frost GmbH & Co.KG, an independent company that deals exclusively with refrigerated products.
New company headquarters
The producer wholesale Langförden-Oldenburg eG is a sales cooperative with about 50 members within the region. Today's product range includes berries, hard and soft fruit, as well as mushrooms, lettuce and root & cabbage vegetables. For a year now, the company has a brand-new company headquarters with integrated loading and unloading and a fleet of vehicles, around which the nationwide delivery and export businesses are built. Right next to the large company is ELO-Frost GmbH & Co.KG, an independent company that deals exclusively with refrigerated products.
The booth at last year's Fruit Logistica in Berlin
For more information:
For more information:
Erzeugergroßmarkt Langförden-Oldenburg eG
GF: Christoph Hövelkamp, Werner Freese
Mittelwand 17, 49377 Vechta-Langförden
Tel. +49 4447.9620.0
Fax +49 4447.9620.190