Dutch wholesalers have always been present in the German wholesale sector. Certainly on the wholesale markets in the Rhine-Ruhr region, many dealers will purchase their goods from Dutch partners, primarily from the Freshness Center Venlo. Yesil GmbH -based at the Essen hypermarket since 2015- has found a cooperation partner in Lukieu AGF in Nieuwegein, in the heart of the Netherlands.
Every day for more than six months, a seasonal and wide-ranging fresh assortment, from ripe bananas and fruit vegetables to berry fruits, arrives at the Essener Frischezentrum, explains Sales Manager Keser.
Satilmis Koymatli from My Fresh Fruit Yesil GmbH
Yesil Lebensmittelhandel GmbH is a traditional family business and has been represented in the Rhine-Ruhr region for more than 25 years. Until three years ago, the company was represented in both wholesale and retail. Now, the two divisions have separated in separate GmbHs. "We already knew the company Lukassen before and then took up and intensified the cooperation a good half-year ago," says Keser.
Threefold to fourfold sales
Eggplants, tomatoes and cucumbers are the main items of the wholesale company and these are also partly supplied by the Lukassen company. However, priority is given to soft fruit and exotics obtained through the Dutch partner. "Among other things, we get pineapples, berries and a wide range of tomatoes. At the moment, it is primarily vine tomatoes and strawberries that are being sold in large quantities. For these products, we are achieving three to fourfold sales this season," Keser said on the current market situation. Even ripened bananas from the company's own ripening company are constantly traded at the Essener Frischezentrum. "If they're a little cheaper, we'll sell up to five pallets a day, and if they're a little more expensive, there'll still be two or three pallets a day."
Turkish and Arabian clientele
Yesil GmbH supplies 80 percent of Turkish and Arabian retailers and acquisition customers in the Rhine-Ruhr region. "About 30 percent of our total goods purchases go via Lukassen. Even more specialized products such as parsley, which are in great demand among our customers, can be delivered without any problems. "Apart from the above-mentioned fresh products, Medjoul dates are very popular, especially for Ramadan, Keser knows. "We currently have a lot of origins, sizes and packaging units, including products from Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Iran and Israel. Algerian goods tend to be the cheapest, but sometimes the quality drops off. Israel and Tunisia are a bit higher-priced, but qualitatively excellent," he concluded.
Expansion of activities in Germany
The management of Dutch supplier Lukassen AGF is particularly pleased with the cooperation, says Sales Manager Ramon van der Velden. "We are very pleased with the cooperation and Yesil GmbH has become a competent partner within a very short time and we supply a wide range of fresh produce."
The successful cooperation is shaping the activities of the company in the German market. "We are seeing that the German market is becoming an ever larger and more important part of our company, and we are constantly striving to expand our market share."
The family-owned company has a wide range of fresh produce, including nuts and tropical fruits, as well as a modern fleet of vehicles for supplying wholesale customers in the Rhine-Ruhr area. "In the meantime, we also supply processors and we are represented in all wholesale markets in North Rhine-Westphalia. The next step is to win over customers in the fresh markets in Hanover and Frankfurt," the company spokesman says in conclusion.
For more information:
My Fresh Fruit Yesil GmbH
Frischezentrum Essen
Lützowstraße 28c
45141 Essen
Phone 0201 / 29460410
Fax 0201 / 29460430
info@myfreshfruit.de
www.yesilgmbh.com
G.H. Lukassen & Zn. BV
Laagraven 11-13
3439 LG Nieuwegein
T +31 (0)30 288 555 7
F +31 (0)30 2891202
ramon@lukassenagf.nl
www.lukassenagf.de