The season for Spanish pomegranates has already begun: At the beginning of week 37, the first batches arrived at the Cologne wholesale market. "September is traditionally the weakest sales month of the year. But as soon as all the berries and stone fruit run out, Italian grapes and Spanish pomegranates become the focus of customers," says Carmine Cirimele, Managing Director of the Cologne wholesale company Frugales LLC. The main sales window for the Spanish tropical fruit normally starts from the middle to end of November.
Spanish pomegranates in the current incoming goods department. In 10-14 days, kaki persimmons from Spain will also be there.
Nevertheless, the starting position for Spanish pomegranates at the beginning of the season is quite good, the retailer acknowledges. "We only trade the premium brand Monna Lisa: This product is a little more expensive than other private labels, but our customers still appreciate the excellent quality. In general, he sees little competition for Spanish pomegranates from other growing countries. "I have not seen Turkish products, at least not at the local wholesale market."
Boxes of 10 Spanish pomegranates of the Monna Lisa brand are currently traded at 13-14 Euro. Also the 12 and 14 calibers are already available.
Eastern mangoes from Spain
Parallel to the start of the pomegranate season, the exotics market is slowly regaining momentum as well. "From week 38 onwards, we will offer our customers Peruvian Hass avocados as well as the first eastern mangoes from Spain. Both items are also offered under the Monna Lisa label."
Currently in the incoming goods department: Fiber-free eastern mangoes from Spain and Peruvian Hass-Avocados.
The Spanish mangos have meanwhile proven their worth with customers, says Cirimele, who has specialist retailers among his customer base. "The Osteen is a fiber-free, good variety and is enjoying increasing popularity in specialist shops," he concludes.
For more information:
Frugales GmbH
Carmine Cirimele
Marktstr. 10 -12
50968 Köln (Großmarkt)
Tel: 0049 221-93721440
carmine.cirimele@frugales.eu
www.facebook.com/frugales.koln