The season of Israeli Orri clementines has got off to a particularly good start this year. "Quality has so far been better than last year and demand has also been particularly pleasing since the start of the season," reports Frank Wilberg, buyer and seller at Buschhüter & Co. at the Frischezentrum Essen.
Click here for the gallery of our March 2023 wholesale market visit.
Buyer and seller Frank Wilberg shows fresh Orri clementines from Israel.
There was a seamless transition between Spain and Israel in early February, Wilberg says looking back. "As soon as the Israeli fruit becomes available at acceptable prices, we immediately switch to Israeli goods. Last year we were able to ship Orri clementines into May, and this year we expect to be able to offer them for a good month as well." In terms of price, the product is around 30 euros/colli, which is still bearable, compared to many other products.
The apple range of the Buschhüter company.
In addition to seasonal items, the family-owned company offers a wide range of pome fruits throughout the year. Wilberg: "Even now during the second half of the season, we can offer all apple varieties, to a large extent also from regional cultivation. The range is rounded off with fruit from the Alte Land, Belgium and the Netherlands. In a few weeks, however, the first overseas apples, for example from Chile and New Zealand, will also hit the market."
Clemens Buschhüter (l) and Frank Wilberg.
A variety of varieties and club concepts characterize today's apple market, Wilberg continues. "Braeburn has been in decline for several years, while Wellant has developed rapidly in the past decade. We source the latter apple from several origins so that we can always meet demand. Among the club apples, Pink Lady, Kanzi and Jazz in particular are showing interesting growth. On the pear market, Xenia is becoming more and more established."
Delivery continues to become more and more important.
The Essen-based family business's clientele includes independent retailers, weekly market traders and farm stores. "During the pandemic, farm stores boomed, as we all know. Now, this segment is declining again somewhat, but it is still above pre-Covid levels. In this area, people usually pay less attention to price and more to the quality of the goods. Nonetheless, we are noticing that these customers are also becoming more price-conscious in their purchases in recent months."
Three new loading bays will soon be put into operation.
The Buschhüter company is one of the oldest market companies in the Essen fresh produce center and has been expanded in recent years under the leadership of the young brothers Clemens and Johannes Buschhüter. A few years ago, the neighboring hall was taken over and integrated into the business, and three new loading bays will soon be put into operation. "We see ourselves equipped for the coming years and look positively into the future," they conclude.
Click here for the gallery of our March 2023 wholesale market visit.
For more information:
Clemens Buschhüter
Buschhüter GmbH & Co. KG
Frischezentrum Essen
Tel.: 0201 / 325396
Fax 0201 / 313243
j.buschhueter@obst-buschhueter.de