The grape season for ABC Fresh from Hamburg started in week 44 with the first containers from Peru. "The season with the Peruvian goods is expected to last until week 12. The current focus is still on seedless grapes. From January, the focus will be more on grapes with seeds. Due to El Niño, around 40 per cent less produce is currently available in the northern region of Piura. California also had to contend with massive losses in grape production this year, which is why the US market is favoured over us. 80 per cent of our customer base can be found in food retailers throughout Germany and Europe. Our goods are stored in the Netherlands, from where the products are then delivered throughout Europe."
The ABC Fresh team with Managing Director Garabed Hambarsounian (3rd from left)
"At the start of the season, we are offering the Sweet Globe variety from Peru, followed by Crimson, Red Globe, Ivory, Sugar Crisp and Autumn Crisp. From week 49/50, we will then receive the first grapes from Namibia with the Early Sweet and Flame varieties. We will then receive goods from South Africa, India, Chile and finally from Egypt. Our grape season started in week 44 and ends around week 27/28." While ABC Fresh sold its first overseas produce in week 45 last year, this year it started a week earlier. "Prices are 15 to 20 per cent higher than last year, which is due to the lower volumes caused by the weather."
New grape varieties impress, pineapple declining
"Grapes from the southern Peruvian region of Ica, which are offered in the second half of the season, are due to arrive two weeks earlier than planned this year, meaning that we will even have goods from Ica before Christmas. Ica does not usually start harvesting until the middle/end of November. This works in our favour as we can compensate for the lower volumes from northern Peru with the volumes from the south."
While demand for products such as pineapples is weaker this year than before, he continues to do good business with grapes. "In the case of grapes, we are noticing that the new varieties in particular are impressing with their flavour and appearance, which means we can sell more in certain areas." Apart from that, he has noticed that sales before public holidays have become more unpredictable. "In the past, you could be sure that there would be greater demand before public holidays. Now, however, sales behaviour is constantly changing."
Important player in the pomegranate sector
"Every year we sell more and more pomegranates. We are now probably one of the most important players on the market for this product. We are currently offering produce from Egypt and are planning to offer pomegranates from Peru again towards the middle of January, which we will market until July. Even if, according to forecasts, around 15 per cent less produce is available, we will still be able to sell the same quantities as last year." The main variety on offer is Wonderful, 80 to 90 per cent of which is sold to food retailers. "For me, this is a sign that end customers are increasingly appreciating the product."
For more information:
ABC Fresh GmbH
Lippeltstr. 1
20097 Hamburg
Tel: +49 (40) 30 70 96 80
E-Mail: info@abcfresh.de
Web: https://abcfresh.de
ABC Fresh BV
Harnaschdreef 10
NL-2635 BT den Hoorn
Tel: +31 (0) 85 05 80 060