Garlic has always been known as a natural remedy with antibiotic effects and has recently even been associated with a possible cure for the corona virus. Accordingly, the product is booming in the German retail trade - and so there have been periods in recent weeks when orders have been difficult to cover. Christian Sturmberg from JERSA Fruchtimport is right in the middle of it: "There is definitely a sense of shortages regarding Spain. Prices have risen dramatically."
Due to the standstill during the lockdown in China, the supply of garlic was already falling behind some time ago: "This caused a sharp increase in sales of Spanish garlic. This also made it very difficult to buy from alternative packing stations, as they were all in the same situation. The three to fourfold sales volume quickly reduced all stocks". Now the new Spanish harvest is just around the corner, which will probably start at a high price.
Products of different origins
The demand has grown disproportionately at all the large supermarket chains in Germany: "You can't explain that just because people are at home and cook more. JERSA believes that this is also related to the health benefits of garlic. "Garlic is a natural antibiotic remedy and therefore so popular with consumers, while other products, such as Spanish onions, have suffered a slight drop in sales.
Prices have risen accordingly: "Producers must look at how they can meet demand. Overtime has to be worked, and that naturally affects prices. Garlic is generally a product with more stable prices, so the increase is still limited compared to demand. One example is ginger, where the price has doubled."
Chinese goods in various packaging sizes
In the meantime, loading in China is almost normal. Stocks here in Europe are still rather low. "Sales of SOLO garlic are still very good. Fresh garlic from Egypt ends a little earlier than in other years and the last arrivals have arrived, although there have been logistically justified delays. Next week we will concentrate on the first shipments of fresh garlic from Spain. The weather is not quite playing along. The typical Spanish weather is more likely to be here in Germany at the moment."
For more information:
Christian Sturmberg
JERSA Fruchtimport GmbH
Zum Scheider Feld 40
D- 51467 Bergisch Gladbach
Tel: +49 (0) 22 02 - 980 860
www.jersa.de
jersa@jersa.de