The General Assembly of the producer cooperatives Reichenau-Gemüse eG and Raiffeisen-Lagerhaus eG took place on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, in the hotel "mein inselglück" on the island of Reichenau. The cooperatives, due to the multitude of crises, looked back on a challenging business year.
In his welcome address, Deputy Chairman Philipp Wurz first acknowledged the professional crisis management of the cooperative for the gardeners and members in a very difficult year in 2022, which was characterized by the energy crisis, increases in operating funds on the producer side, and by a difficult sales market on the other side.
Following this, the managing director Johannes Bliestle shed light on the vegetable year at Reichenau in the context of the overall economic development. Despite the multiple challenges and crises, with the highest inflation in 70 years and the change in purchasing behavior, it was finally possible to market fresh vegetables completely and successfully.
Turnover of goods of Reichenau-Gemüse eG slightly decreases to a total of 31.1 million euros in 2022
With a total marketing volume of 14,000 tonnes, the total tonnage decreased by 5 % in terms of volume compared to the previous year, but a slightly better price level of the products was achieved in the calendar year 2022 compared to the previous year. The pure commodity turnover of the vegetable cooperative was 31.1 million euros. Compared to the 2021 financial year (€32 million), sales decreased by 2.6 % compared to the previous year. Around 10,000 million cucumbers, 4.3 million of which were of organic quality, were successfully marketed.
On the other hand, the prices of about 650 tonnes of panicle tomatoes and the many tomatoes in special shapes were under pressure, and the payments to the producers were about 20 % lower. The sale of 2,800 tonnes of peppers and an additional 530 tonnes of peppers from organic cultivation was pleasing. With this product, says Managing Director Bliestle, we cover 20 % of the total German paprika production. The marketing of 3 million pieces of aubergines was also a record.
Almost 50% of the production by value came from organic production. Thus, almost 5,000 tonnes of high-quality organic produce from Germany found its way to the consumer.
Reichenau boss Johannes Bliestle
Business development of Raiffeisen-Lagerhaus eG satisfactory
The general assembly of Raiffeisen-Lagerhaus eG is also on the agenda for the same evening. The mission of the cooperative, which has existed for more than 125 years, is to sell inputs for the gardeners and act as a local supplier for the people on the largest island in Lake Constance. In 2021/2022, a total turnover of 10.8 million euros was achieved. Turnover was increased in the wholesale sector in particular. The retail trade in the Raiffeisen Market did not achieve any further increases but was able to hold its ground well after the very high-turnover Corona years. A huge challenge was the procurement of inputs and their storage. Broken supply chains, lack of availability, and extreme price increases challenged the entire Raiffeisen team. In the end, this effort ensured supplies for the producers.
The positive result makes it possible to distribute a dividend of 3 % on the business shares. In addition to approving the net profit for the year, the meeting also votes in favor of this proposal by the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors and the Supervisory Board of both cooperatives are unanimously discharged by Mayor Dr. Wolfgang Zoll. Thus those present express their satisfaction with the bodies and the work of the cooperatives.
Elections and honors
Traditionally, elections to the Board of Directors and the Supervisory Board, as well as honors in the most important body of the cooperatives, are also on the agenda. The previous Chairman of the Board of Directors, Matthias Keller, had announced in advance that he was giving up his office as Chairman of the Board of Directors in all cooperatives. The Supervisory Board and the Board of Directors thanked him for his many years of voluntary work. In the subsequent election, Philipp Wurz was elected as the new Chairman of the Board of Reichenau-Gemüse eG and Raiffeisen-Lagerhaus eG. Stefanie Wehrle was elected as the new deputy chairperson of the board and a new member of the board of Reichenau-Gemüse eG, Manuel Uricher. Johannes Blum, Benjamin Wagner, and Manfred Wedele were re-elected as members of the Supervisory Board, and Simon Wohlhüter was elected by the meeting as a new member of the Supervisory Board to succeed Manuel Uricher, who was moving to the Board of Directors.
In addition to the re-election of Philipp Wurz as Chairman of the Board of Raiffeisen-Lagerhaus eG, Manfred Wedele was confirmed as his deputy, and Johannes Blum. Benjamin Wagner and Stefanie Wehrle were confirmed as members of the Supervisory Board of Raiffeisen-Lagerhaus eG, and Simon Wohlhüter was newly elected to the Supervisory Board.
Martina Rauneker was honored for her 10-year company anniversary. Afterwards, the photographer Achim Mende, who is nationally known for his spectacular film and photo shoots, inspired the guests. He had been on the Reichenau Vegetable Island for the past year with his camera and drones and had looked over the shoulders of the gardeners at their work. In addition to the project presentation "Panoramatour 360 Grad", Mende presented a very emotional short film about the work of vegetable gardeners.
For more information:
Johannes Bliestle
Reichenau-Gemüse eG
Marktstraße 1
78479 Insel Reichenau
Tel.: +49 (0) 7534 9200-70
Email: info@reichenaugemuese.de
www.reichenaugemuese.de