The consequences of the current corona crisis are now also inevitably being felt at the Dortmund wholesale store. Due to the closure of the catering trade, the number of customers picking up their food has probably decreased, but weekly market and specialist retailers are still shopping as usual at the trading area on Heiliger Weg. At the product level, at any rate, some interesting trends can be felt, according to wholesaler Mustafa Aksoy, owner of the Marlene Meya company based there.
Ginger can be sold quickly and at good prices in the current day-to-day business, says Mr Aksoy. "Some customers are still a little reluctant to buy Chinese goods. In general, however, demand is high and prices are quite high. The full range of citrus fruits - whether oranges, clementines or lemons - are now also in great demand, the trader observes. "In recent weeks, prices have risen 20-30 percent. An import ban on Turkish lemons was introduced last week. This means we are now largely dependent on supplies from Spain."
Left: Father Seref Aksoy visiting the wholesale market in 2018
Right: Mustafa Aksoy during last years Fruit Attraction
Increased transport costs
Due to the current situation on the Iberian Peninsula, personnel has also become significantly scarcer there, whether in cultivation or logistics, which has a corresponding effect on the supply situation. "The transport costs for all Spanish products have already been increased by 20-30 percent, partly because mine has no return freight. These additional costs are also driving up wholesale prices", the Dortmund native outlines. Despite the current effects of the crisis, there is no talk of supply bottlenecks for the time being. "How this will develop later in the season is difficult to forecast at the moment.
Closure of the gastronomy sector
Due to the closure of the gastronomy sector, the nightly wholesale business has also lost its vitality in Dortmund. "We, too, are noticing the consequences of this emergency measure, because all the vegetable articles are now sold considerably less due to the discontinuation of the gastronomy. Meanwhile, sales at the regional weekly markets as well as in the specialist retail trade remain high," he says.
For more information:
Marlene Meya GmbH
Mustafa Aksoy
Heiliger Weg 60-G
44135 Dortmund
Tel. +49 (0)231 52 89 99
M: +49 178 98 04250
m.aksoy@marlene-meya.de
www.marlene-meya.de/