At Viennese wholesale market Inzersdorf, the first Italian grapes of this year's season arrived some three weeks ago. After a fairly high-priced start of the season with kilo prices of 4 to 5 euros, the price levels have normalized again, in parallel to the expanding supply, says Baris Sahin of Petrik & Sahin OG. The discounts also boosted consumption. "In terms of sales, we can not complain at the moment."
In the middle of June, the starting gun sounded for this year's grape campaign at Viennese wholesale market Inzersdorf. "White Victoria grapes and Black Magic in particular have been arriving in nice volumes right from the beginning," says Sahin. The offer for the other varieties -Red Globes, as well as seedless red and white grapes- is currently still limited, he goes on to say. "But we expect to see larger volumes in the next two to three weeks or so. We are generally very satisfied with the current demand in all areas."
Left: White Victoria grapes from Italy. At the beginning of the season, the average prices were at quite high levels, but meanwhile, the average prices are at between 1.60 and 1.80 euros / kg. Right: Turkish grapes of the Sultana variety are expected to arrive at the wholesale trade in Vienna starting from the end of August.
Different varieties
In the Viennese wholesale market, Italy as a supplier is quite unrivaled at this time of year and other countries of origin hardly play a role, says Sahin. Only from the end of August, Turkey will gradually come onto the market as well. In both growing countries, the Viennese import company has a corresponding network: "Italy is continuously involved during the Turkish season. In my opinion, these countries are also far ahead in European grape growing."
Looking at the long term, the trader already sees some interesting trends. "We find that good seedless grapes such as Red Magic and Crimson Seedless have become more important. Especially within our gastronomy, the Red Globe variety is well received. So everything depends largely on the respective clientele as well. The cultivation of this variety is currently being tested in Turkey also: Last year we imported it from Italy; at the moment I am considering whether to get some from Turkey later on."
Left: Grapes of the Red Globe variety
Right: Red Magic, fresh from Italy.
Stone fruits and watermelons characterize events
Over the years, the Petrik & Sahin compaby has been specializing in the import of fruit and vegetable specialties from both Italy and Turkey. "At this time, the complete product range is available. We are importing lots of stone fruit and cherries from Hungary. Even watermelons are sold in large quantities. Until last week, Italy dominated the events here, but at the moment, the whole thing is turning around and Turkey is again gaining in importance," is what Sahin told Freshplaza while outlining the future developments in the current fruit trade.
For information:
Petrik & Sahin OG
Baris Sahin
Großmarkt Wien-Inzersdorf
Laxenburgerstraße 365 C6 69-74
T: +43 69910414526
office@sahinfruit.at
www.sahinfruit.at