“With some products like Brussels sprouts, lettuce and spinach, we are currently having crop problems due to the moisture levels. Spinach, for example, was showing some yellow leaves and moisture damage,” says Martella. In addition, the problems with the weather sometimes also led to delayed deliveries. At present, the market and supply of Italian products has recovered and so has the quality of the root and leaf spinach. The prices of organic spinach have hardly risen and are barely any higher than last year.
Regionality
The demand for Italian root and leaf spinach as well as broccoli of organic quality has been growing significantly for some years, partly because of the limited number of organic suppliers. Martella: "We work with a specialized producer in Abruzzo (Cappelle sul Tavo - Pescara, red.), which provides continuously calibrated goods, and we are able to guarantee our customers continuity and quality."
As soon as the first German products arrive, the Italian spinach season comes to an end. Martella: “Our season usually runs from October to May. Once the German goods are there, the organic shops only go for regional products. You can see that in other product areas such as carrots and salad.”
International organic supplies
The Ögema GmbH has existed since 2009 and brings a mixed range of fresh produce on the market. The majority of their range comes from different regions of Italy and is supplemented by Spanish and Tunisian products. The main customers of the company are German retailers and wholesalers, as well as organic food stores in the Netherlands, Belgium and Austria. The goods of Ögema GmbH are certified according to the current standards of the associations Bioland, Demeter and Naturland.
For more information
Ögema GmbH - Bio Obst und Gemüse aus einer Hand
Wankelstraße, 5,
82291 Mammendorf, Deutschland
Tel 0049 (0) 81459982133
Fax 0049 (0) 814599821