As every year in December, there is much to do among the greengrocers. Especially for suppliers of gastronomy, the rising sales and this year's trends are noticeable. This is because canteens and restaurants are always eager to present beautiful eye-catchers on their Christmas tables.
Outdoor specialties from own production
The first snowflakes were seen this week in the heart of Austrian winter sports region Tyrol. A sign that this year's winter campaign has definitely started: "We still have many regional fresh produce from our own production in our assortment, such as potato, celery and leek," explains a purchaser of Giner Agrarprodukte, based in Thaur. "What sells well at the moment are mini vegetables of all kinds: mini corn, mini zucchini, eggplant, artichokes and much more. Of course we will stock up on them."
In addition to a variety of cabbage and root vegetables, the supplier of hotels, restaurants and other gastronomic places still sells colorful lettuces from their own production: "We still have Romana, Radicchio, Sugar Loaf. However, carrots are currently selling best. We also offer them pre-cut; in cubes and slices," he continues.
Peeled carrots are in high demand around Christmas
Star fruit and cress
In Switzerland too, the classic Christmas season is gradually beginning, confirms Nicole Meyer Pfaff, Managing Director of Gastro Pfaff AG in Allschwil. At the moment they are trading a lot of exotics: besides pineapple and mango, they also market star fruits or carambola. "Despite the year-round availability of many products, one can already say the Christmas season has started, says Ms. Meyer-Pfaff. The main customers of the major suppliers -canteens, kitchens, old people's and children's homes as well as restaurateurs- will organize appropriate business lunches or buffets for Christmas. "What is much in demand today are cresses to refine the dishes, especially in the upscale gastronomy. We are marketing Sakura Mix, Shiso and Honny Cress, among others."
Cress: A unique product to refine the Christmas dishes
Especially in this area, availability leaves something to be desired. "The stress is not growing too fast and that's why delays in the deliveries can sometimes occur. We were looking for producers here in the greater Basel area who would cultivate this for us. Although they produce very good products, unfortunately it is not the case that we can offer large quantities."
No Christmas news
In the Westerwald -southeast of Bonn- the Christmas offers have already been announced as well. Fresh service Sohnius, based in Horhausen, is increasingly offering oranges and mandarins as well as common apple varieties. "We mainly supply commercial kitchens, homes and large consumers in the region. In this sense there is no clear 'Christmas business'. The companies and canteens we deliver to are largely closed at Christmas time," says the management of the wholesale.
Pineapples sell a bit more often than usual
Nonetheless, the increased demand for exotic animals is noticeable here as well. "Clearly, a pineapple or mango will sell more often than in general, but there is nothing really unusual. We have pre-cut salads in our assortment year-round, so for us there are no real novel things going on for Christmas."
For more information:
Giner Agrarprodukte e.U.
Auweg 1, 6065 Thaur, Österreich
T: +43 5223 49 28 43
E: gastro@gemuese-giner.at
H: www.gemuese-giner.at
Sohnius Frischdienst GmbH
Industriepark 38, 56593 Horhausen
Telefon: +49 (02687) 92 866-0
Telefax: +49 (02687) 92 866-40
E-Mail: info@sohnius.net
www.sohnius.net
Gastro Pfaff AG
Gewerbestrasse 7
CH-4123 Allschwil, Basel-Land
Tel: +41 61 481 96 55
Fax: +41 61 481 96 59
gastropfaff@gastropfaff.ch
www.gastropfaff.ch