Germany: “The Cara Cara-Orange is very trendy”

Have you ever heard of Cara Cara-Orange? The unique orange variety looks like a normal navel orange, but is characterized by its beautiful rosé-colored flesh. Cara Cara are now appearing everywhere in the German wholesale and retail trade, as well as at Gartenbote GmbH in Gera-Langenberg. Despite the steady demand, specialized stores are particularly enthusiastic about the fruit, says owner Anke Ulrich. “You need a certain knowledge or feel for such an article.”

For some years Cara Cara Oranges have also been available in Germany, and on the Leipzig Wholesale Market. About two years ago, Mrs. Ulrich tried the oranges for the first time and decided to include them immediately in their assortment. And not without success: “After a sluggish beginning, the product is now very much in vogue. I am also sure that the Cara Cara will continue to establish itself.” Although the kilo price of this product is on average about 0.20-0.30 euros higher than that of normal oranges, the product is very much in demand. Accordingly, it is not a supermarket article, but a product for the specialists. “These are customers who value quality rather than quantity. They want to differentiate themselves from specific discounters with specific products.”

The Cara Cara oranges in the warehouse of Gartenbote GmbH

Special assortment
Nonetheless, Mrs. Ulrich initially doubted whether the cultivar, grown mainly in Spain, would actually prevail. Because, apart from a higher price, the Cara Cara Orange distinguishes itself through its inner appearance and specific taste. Ulrich: “First and foremost it looks like a normal navel orange, but the pulp has a uniform pink color, like that of a grapefruit. In addition, it is also relatively sweet in taste, rather than sour.”

The Cara Cara-Orange is not the only special variety in the assortment of specialist wholesalers. For about 2-3 years, the Gartenbote GmbH also has had the so-called strawberry grape in its assortment, which is now also well-known and popular in the Jena-Gera region. “This Spanish fruit is available only in August. It looks like a normal grape, but is very sweet in taste. This strain has picked up speed over the last two years.”

With its rosé-colored pulp, the orange variety differs from other varieties

Whole bandwidth
The GartenBote GmbH was founded in 1991 and is now managed by the second generation. The medium-sized company offers a wide range of products, including strawberries, asparagus, regional vegetables and tropical fruits. The company supplies a very diverse clientele, from fast food outlets to retail shops and restaurants in the region Gera-Jena.

For more information:
Gartenbote GmbH
Managing Director: Anke Ulrich

Steinbeckstr. 66, 07552 Gera Langenberg

Telephone: +49 0365 4229121 or 4229159

Fax: +49 0365 4200 153

GartenboteGera@web.de