Producer wholesale market Langförden-Oldenburg (ELO) from Vechta in Lower Saxony has been active in the cultivation and marketing of soft fruits and vegetables for over 70 years. During that time, it has been supplying various sectors throughout Germany, but primarily the food retail trade. According to Managing Director Christoph Hövelkamp, the celery grown and washed and sorted at the ELO farms is on sale for ten months every year.
The sales team, surrounding Managing Director Christoph Hövelkamp (front row, third from the left). Image: ELO
"The quality is very good, the sizes are right and there were few crop losses. We can offer a continuous supply of quality products. Demand is stable and appropriate for this time of year. However, prices are low at the moment, which applies in general; not only to us."
According to Hövelkamp, logistics went largely according to plan, although prices will soon have to be adjusted upward: "Looking at the year as a whole, however, we could already see transport capacity being tight for various reasons. Above all, transport space was in very short supply. In view of the current low prices, there will have to be price adjustments, simply due to the increase in the cost of inputs, such as fertilizer. The increased wage levels that are on the horizon as of next year will affect the entire fruit and vegetable production. Prices will have to be adjusted upward. Profitable production is not possible any other way"
Image: ELO
Hövelkamp expects demand for celery to increase, especially in the coming fortnight, but by Christmas at the latest. "Sufficient quantities are available in all divisions, i.e., Chinese cabbage, as well as pointed cabbage, celeriac, turnips, etc. Sales are generally in line with what we expected." ELO's customers are also not so much oriented to specific varieties, but rather to specific product profiles like the cleanliness, size, etcetera of the products on offer. Celery is sold loose in 5, 10 or 12-kg units. "However, we are prepared to adjust these at any time."
Image: ELO
For more information:
Christoph Hövelkamp
Erzeugergroßmarkt Langförden-Oldenburg eG
Mittelwand 17
49377 Vechta-Langförden
Tel. +49 4447.9620.0
Fax +49 4447.9620.190
sekretariat@elo-online.de
https://www.elo-online.de/