The current Lockdown Light and renewed closures of the hospitality industry are putting a big crimp on the plans of many fruit traders at local wholesale markets. As is well known, many wholesale market suppliers live predominantly from supplying the regional gastronomy and community catering. At Freiburg's wholesale market, too, many traders are fighting for their existence, observes Volkan Günes, co-owner of Sun Früchte, which is based there.
At the sales stand of the company, which was founded in 1996, colorful exotic and tropical fruits currently dominate the scene, because imported goods from all over the world are the company's core competence. Despite Corona, the available quantity is usually sufficient to meet the demand. "Pineapples from Costa Rica, for example, are continuously available in sufficient quantities and in all desired calibers. In the case of melons, there are now the last batches from Europe, for example the beautiful variety Lelis from Italy."
On the left: Pineapple from Costa Rica - Right: Italian Lelis melons
Gradual expansion
Since its foundation, the family business has found its place on the Freiburg trading premises. Since the beginning of the year, Volkan Günes has been running the company together with his brother in the 2nd generation. "Our father once started with a very small stand. After a few years we were able to move into a new, larger stand. For the change of generations we were able to expand our area as well as the assortment again. Since recently we have also been offering nuts and dried fruit on the side," says Günes.
Right: There are grapes either from Turkey or Sicily. Muscat grapes are most in demand at this point in time.
Procurement of goods & walk-in customers
Nevertheless, the consequences of the current Corona crisis are noticeable at Sun Früchte. "Normally, we travel to Milan on Sunday every week to select new goods for our stand at the local wholesale market there. Unfortunately, this was not possible during the first lockdown. Fortunately, we are now allowed to shop there again, as per usual."
Still, at the local wholesale market in Freiburg, Corona continues to dominate daily conversations. "Due to the elimination of the gastronomy sector, we are recording a drop in sales of about 10 percent. Fortunately, there are a lot of walk-in customers - mainly specialist retailers - who shop at our store despite the compulsory masks and distance rules." Despite all this, the young fruit trader is looking confidently to the future. "We want to get through everything by the beginning of the new year. After that we will have overcome the low point from my point of view".
For more information:
Sun Früchte GbR 
Volkan Günes
Robert-Bunsen-Straße 7
79108 Freiburg im Breisgau (Großmarkt)
Tel: +49 761 1374987
E-mail: sunfruechte@gmail.com