Exotics are known to be in high demand among consumers during the winter season. But in times of Corona, procurement is sometimes extremely challenging due to high freight rates. Added to this are the restrictions in the catering trade which have a noticeable effect on sales, observes Pedram Pandijeh, stand salesman at Ehmann Fruchthandel Ltd at the Hamburg wholesale market.
Ehmann Fruchthandels is one of the long-established market companies in the Hamburg wholesale market. The company was taken over four years ago, and the range of products has since been expanded to include a variety of exotic and tropical fruits. Air-freighted Peruvian mangoes are one of the highlights of the wholesale market company's current incoming goods. "The quality of the goods is very good, and the same applies to the range to be marketed. At the beginning of the season in November, sales were rather stagnant, but this has now leveled off and marketing is at a level typical of the season," says Pandijeh.
Ready-to-eat mangos from Peruvian cultivation / Image: Ehmann Fruchthandel
Rising freight rates
Both air and sea freight are sometimes difficult to obtain, according to Pandijeh. "Storage space is becoming increasingly scarce and therefore more expensive. Freight rates have only increased further compared to last year. On the sales side, the constraints on regional catering, one of our most important sales channels, are making themselves felt, which is why the exotic business is generally rather quiet. For example, due to lack of demand, limes - a typical gastronomy item - have halved in price within a very short time."
Spanish mangos gain in importance
Kent mangoes are still by far the most popular with local buyers, he said, with other varieties finding their way into stores only sporadically. "Peru continues to lead the way into April, supplemented by batches from Brazil. What has noticeably increased in recent years is the supply of Spanish Osteen and Kent mangoes. Due to the excellent quality and short transport distances, the Spanish exotics are increasingly establishing themselves as an interesting alternative to the overseas product."
For more information:
H. Ehmann Fruchthandels GmbH Nachf
Pedram Pandijeh
Großmarkthalle, Stand 354
Banksstraße 28, 20097 Hamburg
T: +49 (0) 40 33 62 88
F: +49 (0) 40 32 68 13
Mail: pedram@ehmann-frucht.de
www.ehmann-fruchthandel.de