The Bavarian onion industry is enjoying a bountiful yield this year. "In terms of yield, we are about 25 percent above last year's levels," says Ulrich Goldstein, managing director of the eponymous wholesale and packaging company in Zellingen, Lower Franconia.
Fresh produce from regional production / Image: Goldstein Agrarhandelsgesellschaft
At the moment, the marketing of regional onions is running quietly, in line with the season. "The supply is greater than the demand, this is reflected accordingly in the quotation. In week 51, however, we traditionally see increased demand for regional onions, because consumers want to stock up on goods again just before Christmas."
Onions are increasingly traded in small packages of 500g, 1kg and 2kg. / Photo: Goldstein Agrarhandelsgesellschaft
Short marketing window for Italian onions
Currently, mainly yellow, conventional household onions of the 40-60 and 50-70 grades are traded. Due to restaurant closures and 2G, however, butcher's onions, which are particularly popular in the restaurant trade, are less in focus. Says Goldstein, "We're less affected by the reduced demand in the foodservice industry because we supply mostly packaged goods to food retailers."
The Goldstein company has been based in Zellingen, Lower Franconia, for many years / Photo: Goldstein Agrarhandelsgesellschaft
As soon as spring gets going, there is traditionally increased access to imported onions. "From April-May, we source our onions from several countries, such as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Egypt. The window of opportunity for Italian onions tends to get shorter and nowadays extends from about May to July," Goldstein says on the rest of the season.
The company' production hall / Photo: Goldstein Agrarhandelsgesellschaft
Stable per capita consumption
The Goldstein agricultural trading company was founded in 1904, making it one of the oldest regional packaging companies for potatoes and onions. For 20 years now, Ulrich Goldstein has been managing the company in the 4th generation. "For both potatoes and onions, per capita consumption has been relatively firm and stable for several years. We hope that it will remain so in the coming years."
For more information:
Goldstein Agrarhandelsgesellschaft mbH
Ulrich Goldstein
Oberbachring 4
97225 Zellingen
Tel: +49 9364 9908
Fax: +49 9364 3731
E-Mail: info@goldstein-agrarhandel.de
www.goldstein-agrarhandel.de