The first batches of this year's season were harvested this week in the cucumber glasshouse of the Viennese family business Kasehs. "We are starting the season a good week earlier than usual," says Karl Kasehs Jr. and adds, "This year will certainly be an exciting season due to rising costs in terms of energy, fertilization and packaging. To a certain extent, we will have to pass on the cost increases, which in turn is only possible to a certain extent. However, a 10-15 percent price increase would be desirable."
Fresh cucumbers from the Kasehs family
The Viennese cucumber producer looks back on last year's campaign with satisfaction. "We were able to charge good prices for our products overall, largely due to the hot summer and correspondingly smaller harvest volumes. Due to the relatively late summer, we pushed back our last set, which is why the last cucumbers of the year were not harvested until November 20, about 2-3 weeks later than usual. Demand for regional cucumbers was also insanely high at the end of the season," Kasehs Jr concludes.
The Viennese cucumber glasshouse
The Kasehs family has been cultivating over 2 hectares of greenhouse space in Vienna's largest contiguous horticultural area since 1886. In addition to lettuce and mini cucumbers, they have also been producing eggplants for wholesale since last year. "Compared to cucumbers, the quantities of eggplants are rather manageable, yet I see an interesting marketing potential," Kasehs Jr observes.
The company's four-member management team with Mr. Karl Kasehs Jr. on the right.
Right: Salad 
cucumbers are marketed in either 12- or 20-gram cartons. Mini cucumbers are offered in 300-gram cups (6 per carton).
Online trade booming
Recently, the company was also able to enter the online trade through its wholesale partner Greenyard Österreich. "Since last year, Greenyard has also been supplying the online retailer Gurkerl.at with home-fresh fruit and vegetables. The cucumbers marketed through this online platform in the first year have been pleasing, all in all. In addition, there is also no additional expense for us growers, because the cucumbers are also offered in the online area in the conventional packaging units."
For more information:
Kasehs Gurken
Karl Kasehs jun.
Hörtengasse 21
A-1110 Wien
Tel: +43 664 916 58 12
office.kasehs@gartenbau.co.at
kasehs-gurken.at