Mario 
Ebel from Cologne (r) is firmly established in the global trade and sourcing of organic and conventional nuts and dried fruits. After stepping down as a board member of Hylea Foods, he founded Deutsche Food Up AG last summer. The purpose of the start-up: To further the social development towards healthy, vegan nutrition and to support corresponding business initiatives together with investors.
Mecca dates: First delivery to Netto
Even before the formation of the joint stock company, Ebel was on the lookout for possible partnerships and cooperations in the field of 'healthy nutrition'. Consequently, Mekka Dates Ltd was formed in 2018, with the aim of exporting dates from smallholder cultivation in Mecca and Medina to Europe. In the meantime, the firm has also been incorporated into Deutsche Food Up AG.
Ebel: "After a two-year lead time, our dates are now listed with Netto. Unfortunately, due to the blockade in the Suez Canal, our shipment arrived a little later than we had hoped. For the time being, we will receive a delivery of 100 tons, which will be marketed exclusively through Netto stores. Depending on demand and marketing potential, we will increase production and export volume in the coming years." The new date harvest is expected to start in October.
Mario Ebel visiting Saudi Arabia.
New export company in Senegal
Meanwhile, Ebel is also in the process of setting up a new export company in the West African country of Senegal. "I'm cooperating with a former German politician there, and we'll soon be setting up a new company to export cashew nuts, cola nuts and hibiscus flowers."
Return to Brazil nut trade
As a one-time co-founder of Hylea Foods, Ebel has been involved in the sourcing and marketing of Brazil nuts for many years. "The Brazil nut trade just won't let me go. Therefore, we are in the process of founding Kolibri Nuts Ltd, which will be located in Belem and Cologne and through which I will source both conventional and organic Brazil nuts from northern Brazil. I initiated this project together with the WWF and we will be able to export the first quantities starting in November," explains Ebel, who will have the nuts processed locally by a local partner.
With the start-up on Brazilian soil, Ebel is setting new standards in sustainability. "In contrast to many other Brazil nut growing regions, the residues of heavy metals in northern Brazil are extremely low, while the selenium content is up to 40x higher. Based on this, I believe that the future of Brazil nut production will be in this area," the statement continues. "More investors for our projects and initiatives are welcome!" Ebel concludes.
For more information:
Deutsche Food Up AG
Mario Ebel
Mobil: +49 (0) 1523 419 54 61
Büro: +49 (0) 2203 959 57 96
E-Mail: m.ebel@dreimal-f.com