Even in these difficult times of Corona, there are ambitious new entrepreneurs who are opting for the fruit and vegetable trade. On 01.07.2020, new company 'Grüne Saison' opens its doors at the Düsseldorf wholesale market. The Jatal brothers will offer wholesale market customers a rich selection of oriental fruit and vegetable products, including from their homeland of Syria, explains owner Mohamed Jatal.
Back to the family roots
Five years ago, the two brothers moved to Constance, in the deep south of the Federal Republic of Germany. After training in mechatronics and moving to Oberhausen, Mohamed Jatal decided to enter the food trade, returning to the roots of his family. "My father has always been a fresh produce trader in the Syrian city of Latakia on the Mediterranean Sea. Therefore we practically grew up on the wholesale market. Here in Germany, too, we see potential for Syrian fruit and vegetable products, especially in the Rhine-Ruhr area where many Arab retailers and restaurateurs have their home."
Left: Fresh almonds, right: Fresh pistachios
As soon as there was a free rental space in the Blumenhalle at the Düsseldorf wholesale market, the ambitious trader took up the offer. "Düsseldorf Wholesale Market has appropriate storage capacity and a wide range of products. The latter is absolutely no disadvantage for us, because we only enrich the existing selection with new and surprising things," says Jatal. The new wholesale company's product range initially includes mainly unusual vegetable varieties such as mini aubergines and courgettes, round peppers, peas and beans as well as various types of spinach. The majority of the product range comes from Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and North Africa.
Mini courgettes and mini aubergines belong to the basic assortment. Parts of the goods are purchased from Dutch suppliers in Venlo and Rotterdam.
Exclusive partnership starting next autumn
The Jatal brothers primarily focus on vegetables, but soon the range is to be expanded to include fruit from the Middle East. "Syria is a fertile country; numerous fruits and vegetables grow there. We have now also found a Syrian major supplier who wants to supply us exclusively with products from there. At the moment it is quite complicated to get the goods by air freight because of Corona, but from next autumn we will offer the brand of this company exclusively on the German market.
On the left: Oriental vegetable Okra, Right: Mini pumpkin
"Everyone is welcome"
Jatal knows that it is crucial for new entrepreneurs in particular to build up a loyal clientele within a very short time. "We primarily address independent, oriental supermarkets and gastronomes. Other customers, such as weekly market traders, are also very welcome." The wholesaler will serve his customers mainly in stall sales, but if the customer wishes, the goods can be delivered when in the vicinity.
Left: 'Egg'-cucumbers are a round vegetable, very popular in the oriental kitchen. Right: Beans and other legumes belong to the staple foods in the Arabic region.
It is the brothers' long-term goal to gradually expand their company and to gradually increase its reputation. "We want to expand our sales area and vehicle fleet so that we can expand our activities to other German states as well as to nearby foreign countries (Netherlands and Belgium). If everything goes according to plan, it would also be possible to market our goods to the well-known food retail chains in the long term."
For more information:
Grüne Saison e.K. - Orientalische Obst & Gemüse
Mohamed Jatal
Ulmenstraße 275
Großmarkt Düsseldorf - Blumenhalle
40468 Düsseldorf
+49 1575 6400530
GrueneSaison@gmail.com
www.gruenesaison.com