The cultivation of sweet potatoes is becoming increasingly popular in Germany, says the managing director from Naturkost Schramm Import-Export Ltd from Appenweier, Christian Kaufmann. In imports it has becomes apparent that now we get more enquiries for European sweet potatoes than for the overseas product. "We source our sweet potatoes from the Andalusian towns of Cadiz and Malaga, of which we can sell about ten pallets per week in all calibers," Kaufmann said.
Prices, as well as demand, have remained stable compared to last year, he said. "Sweet potatoes have become a standard product for us and, as such, have extremely low price fluctuations. At the beginning of the season, prices are still somewhat high, but drop slightly as the season progresses and then rise again at the end of the season," Kaufmann says.
For the past two to three years, Naturkost Schramm has been able to offer sweet potatoes virtually all year round, with the season usually starting very early with the new harvest from the Malaga region in July/August, while the later product is harvested in November and stored until June/July. There are no volume problems, he said, although quality problems can be expected at the end of the season.
More European produce on the market
"Whereas a few years ago it was mainly overseas produce that was imported from countries such as the U.S. or South America, there is now enough produce on offer from Europe," Kaufmann says. "This is now a well-established product with consumers. We sell sweet potatoes exclusively to organic retailers." These are primarily the common, orange Beauregard variety. "We also try to offer purple and white sweet potato varieties, but customers have already become too accustomed to the standard variety."
Declining numbers in the organic sector
While there have generally 
been no supply problems with his products, he said there are difficulties with regard to prices. "Producers are faced with rising costs in packaging, employees and social expenses, energy, etc.," he said. Prices would have to be raised throughout the fruit and vegetable sector, but this is not easily feasible."
In addition, Kaufmann notes that they have to contend with increasing competition in the organic sector, while at the same time the organic market in general seems to be stagnating, if not declining.
"As soon as products become a little more expensive, it becomes even more difficult to sell them, even at high quality. The market has seen better times. The good sales during the Corona era are over," Kaufmann concludes.
For more information:
Christian Kaufmann
Naturkost Schramm Import-Export GmbH
Industriestraße 5 a
D-77767 Appenweier
Tel. +49 (0) 7805 9668-20
info@schramm-naturkost.com
www.schramm-naturkost.com