The corona virus has a firm grip on the German wholesale markets. While the retail trade is barely able to keep up with the volumes, the catering trade customers are almost falling away. Uwe Sakowski from Josef Stapf Großmarkt knows this: "We see a certain amount of hectic situations and panic, but we try to keep calm."
The company has implemented certain security measures at the stand to prevent the virus from spreading: "We wear face masks and gloves and there are only two of us in the office for purchasing, instead of six. As much as possible, we take orders by phone and of course we try to keep our distance." The measures vary from trader to trader at the Frankfurt wholesale market.
As far as demand is concerned, different segments of the trade are currently developing in different directions, Sakowski sees: "The weekly markets are still open and are also doing well. In contrast, the gastronomy sector has losses of around 80% - so it is naturally very quiet in this area". The food retailing sector is also particularly striking: "Turnover in the food retailing sector is very high and peak purchases are increasingly being made. Under normal circumstances we see this two to three times a week. At the moment, it is every day."
Market prices are exploding, especially for vegetables: "Products such as cauliflower or courgettes for private consumer sales are currently about twice as expensive. However, the impact on imported fruit is not particularly great."
"There are no abnormalities at present; everything is delivered normally, there are no failures. The season for citrus fruit is almost over, so late in the season and with the warm temperatures, demand is naturally declining. So the impact of the virus on these products is limited."
The season for blood oranges is already over, and the same applies to yellow kiwis. Clementines are still sourced from Israel. "The consumers are now ready for something new. Spanish and Italian strawberries are already available, but the next big item will be the greenhouse product from the Netherlands," says Sakowski, looking forward.
For more information:
Uwe Sakowski
Josef Stapf Großmarkt GmbH
Frischezentrum Frankfurt
Josef-Eicher-Straße 10
Brieffach 089
60437 Frankfurt am Main
Tel: +49 (0)69 400502200
office@josef-stapf.de