Shipments of sweet potatoes from the USA have started this week: On Monday, the first deliveries of the Covington variety arrived at the Vienna wholesale market. Parallel to this, the Beauregard and Evangeline varieties fr
om Honduras are now available, explains Baris Sahin, co-managing director of the Vienna trading company Petrik & Sahin OG.
Right: The wholesale market stand of Petik & Sahin OG at Vienna's wholesale market Inzersdorf.
Similar to other years, the American sweet potato campaign starts in mid-February as soon as supplies from Spain and Egypt run out. "Like every year, the quality is generally good and the prices are within the normal range at just over 1 euro/kg. The product from Honduras is currently experiencing similar price levels. I do not expect any major fluctuations in the coming weeks," says the retailer.
Although sweet potatoes are rather a niche product in the stands of Petrik & Sahin OG, Mr. Sahin already sees a slightly increasing demand. "Sweet potatoes are already quite popular, especially in the catering trade. This makes it an interesting article for us despite the manageable turnover, especially since it is available almost all year round. Only in the summer might it be a little scarcer from time to time", Mr Sahin outlines.
Fresh sweet potatoes of the Covington variety
Successful season for Turkish mandarins
In addition to sweet potatoes, there are currently Turkish mandarins in abundance. According to Mr Sahin, the availability of "W Murcott" mandarins has been pleasing since the start of the season (end of December). "We have done quite well with all Turkish citrus fruits this year, but the most pleasing were the sales rates for mandarins. We have so far sold much more than last year: As far as I know, I was also the only one at the Vienna wholesale market who traded fresh Turkish goods on a weekly basis".
Turkish mandarins of the "W Murcott" variety
The retailer expects to be able to offer Turkish mandarins until March. Depending on availability, however, mandarins from Morocco or Spain will also be traded.
For more information:
Petrik & Sahin OG
Baris Sahin
Großmarkt Wien-Inzersdorf
Laxenburgerstraße 365 C6 69-74
office@sahinfruit.at
www.sahinfruit.at