The influx of Italian leafy vegetables is currently in full swing. In the case of arugula, the traditional seasonal changeover from the southern Italian growing areas to the northern Italian vegetable garden of Verona is currently taking place. However, due to the overlap of the two campaigns, a considerable oversupply and corresponding sales difficulties can be observed, says Georg Steinkeller, vegetable trader at the Munich wholesale market.
Nowadays, Italian arugula is available in specialty stores all year round. "In the winter, we obtain the goods from the southern Italian regions, and from March onward, it seamlessly moves over to the northern Italian harvest. At the moment, the northern Italian growers have already started, while the southern Italian produce is also still noticeably pushing its way onto the market. At the same time, logistics costs have risen slightly due to Corona, and the most important sales channel for arugula, the restaurant trade, is missing," says Steinkeller, outlining the current market situation.
Georg Steinkeller mainly supplies Italian leafy vegetables to market traders, specialist retailers and restaurateurs.
Balanced market situation for baby spinach
Meanwhile, the vegetable specialist also imports and markets baby spinach and other fine-leaf vegetables from Italy. "In the case of baby spinach, the northern and southern Italian growing regions are also in production at the same time, but in this product category, supply and demand are roughly in balance," Steinkeller explained.
Naomi Steinkeller, daughter of the owner, also works in sales.
Passing the baton at Herbafrucht
Georg Steinkeller had been at the helm of Herbafrucht LLC since 2001 and made the company the leading supplier of herbs and salad specialties in the Munich wholesale market. Due to his age, he handed over the company to his long-time employee Philipp Kahn on Feb. 1, 2021. "I wanted to hand over the company in time and then decided to leave Herbafrucht. Under the already existing brand name Giocola, I will focus on selling arugula and babyleaves until my retirement."
More information:
Giocola e.K.
Georg Steinkeller
Großmarkthalle München
Halle 3, Stand 55
Schäftlarnstr. 10
81371 München
Tel.: 08065 9061904
Fax 089 76736760
Mail: info@giocola.de
www.giocola.de