The supply of table grapes and fresh figs from Turkey is currently in full swing. Western European wholesalers are pleased with the early start of the season, as well as the good quality of the Turkish products. While the table grapes business shows a uniform price situation, the figs currently are in a situation of a clear oversupply and corresponding price drops.
On the Vienna Wholesale Market (Inzersdorf), table grapes from Turkey have been available for less than a week, explains Baris Sahin, Managing Director of local wholesale company Petrik & Sahin OG. In terms of quality, the first deliveries - which are primarily sourced from the Izmir area (southern Turkey) - are very convincing. "Due to the weather or due to the local heat wave, the season of Turkish grapes this year started much earlier than usual. Last year, we did not start the sales of the first Turkish table grapes until the beginning of September."
The wholesaler specializes in the supply of Turkish fruit and vegetables and offers two main varieties of table grapes during the season. Both the seedless Crimson and the popular Sultana are already in the assortment and are usually on offer until February at the wholesaler market. ''The prices are approximately even in comparison to the previous year, at least in the Viennese wholesale market. "There is not much difference at the moment, and although there are always ups and downs during the season, we do not anticipate any major price fluctuations or gaps in supply," Sahin said.
Price drop by 40%
Another product group from Turkey is currently also being imported and marketed on a large scale, namely coloured figs. 'Although the season started off satisfactorily, we are currently experiencing a significant price drop. Within 2 to 3 weeks, the price is estimated to have fallen by about 40 percent, because there is an oversupply,'' says Sahin.
Despite the current price situation, Turkey is still gaining ground as a growing and exporting market. The latest expansion steps include the cultivation of tropical fruits such as pitahaya and avocados. The specialized wholesaler in Vienna is firmly convinced that Turkey still has development potential: "In general, we can see that Turkey is becoming increasingly important as a growing region for the Western European market, year by year."
Import in a big way
The company "Petrik & Sahin OG" based in the Vienna Wholesale Market (Inzersdorf) imports fruits and vegetables from many European countries and third parties within and outside Europe. The product range mainly includes seasonal fruits and vegetables, but the company attaches great importance to Austrian quality standards throughout the year. From Turkish growers the wholesaler buys -in addition to table grapes and figs, etc.- lemons, eggplant, zucchini and hot peppers. As an additional service to the wholesale business, numerous offices in Vienna and its surroundings are supplied with fresh fruit directly at the workplace.
For more information:
Petrik & Sahin OG
Großmarkt Wien-Inzersdorf
Laxenburgerstraße 365 C6 69-74