Unique specialties from Italy have always been on offer on the Zurich Grossmarkt. For some years, however, the enthusiasm for French fruits and vegetables among the local wholesale customers and restaurateurs has increased. Marco Haegeli - a family member of the specialist wholesaler Haegeli Karl Erben AG - has also been relying on premium goods of all kinds from major French growing areas for several years. Among the current contenders are prunes and Cardinal artichokes.
Season start
In the warehouse of the Zurich-based wholesale company, plump Reineclaude royal plums from Moissac are currently determining things. Since the first deliveries, a year ago, the greenish sweet plums business has been particularly successful and demand is booming. "This year's season started two weeks ago, although there were already Edelpflaume from southern France. It was an early variety that is cheaper than the real Reineclaude, but the taste is not so convincing. That's why I've decided to wait until the right Reineclaude comes onto the market," said Mr Haegeli.
Unlike many other products, plums can be imported throughout the season. Furthermore, there were no problems with availability, whereas in Italy and Spain there were losses due to the weather.
Parallel to the steady rise of the plums, the major Swiss supplier is observing yet another interesting trend: Artichokes from France, too, are beginning to gain in importance. There are two important main varieties, namely the Castel and the Cardinal." This year, the Castel artichoke is not as good as the Cardinal. Despite the high temperatures, we have continuously obtained the latter variety of the best quality without problems. That surprised me personally quite a bit."
Consumption in the summer
In contrast to the prunes, the differences between French and Italian products are much more numerous. First, the French varieties are large; sometimes 500-600 grams apiece. The Italian varieties are much smaller. Secondly, both countries have a very different growing season. In Italy it is a winter product: the harvest starts in September and the season lasts until March-April. In France, it's the other way around and the season usually runs in from the end of March until September." As soon as the French end their season, the Zurich-based wholesaler gets some artichokes from Spain before the Italians start. "I have to say that the artichoke market here in Switzerland is a bit calmer in summer. In winter, however, consumption is significantly higher," Haegeli concludes.
Garlic
Karl Haegeli Erben AG is a family business based in Zurich, which has been active in the fruit & vegetable, catering and wholesale trade for over 85 years. It supplies restaurants, hotels, hospitals, canteens, cafés and schools with fresh vegetables and fruits, as well as ready-to-eat and frozen products in the canton of Zurich. Until a few years ago, the product portfolio mainly focused on Italian fruit and vegetable specialties, and today France is an important country of origin. In addition to the specialties mentioned, rosé garlic from French fields is an interesting product as well: In about three weeks, the new product will become available and is expected to be offered until March.
For more information:
Karl Haegeli Erben AG
GF: Marco Haegeli
Würzgrabenstrasse 6
8048 Zürich
Tel. +41 44 439 78 00
Fax. +41 44 439 78 09
E-Mail: info@haegeli.com
Web: www.haegeli.com