The new celery harvest has started this week: A little later than usual, the first tuber vegetables with and without leaves arrived at the Düsseldorf wholesale market. "We still had leftover stock from the old harvest, which is why we harvested the first new crop a little later," explains Peter-Josef Eßer, vegetable farmer based in Korsenbroich and direct marketer at the Düsseldorf wholesale market.
Now it remains to be seen to what extent one can keep up with imported goods from neighboring countries in terms of price. "At the moment, lots from the Netherlands are offered at quite reasonable prices. Nevertheless, we are seeing normal demand at the wholesale market. Because there are probably always certain customers who pay attention to regionality, for example suppliers on the local regional markets," observes Eßer.
Peter-Josef Eßer visiting the wholesale market of FreshPlaza in winter 2017. After the eruption of Corona, the situation at the wholesale market seems to have calmed down again to some extent. Eßer: "In our product scene, we have probably not suffered any major sales losses."
Both celeriac and green goods with leaves are currently available. "Sellerie with foliage is somewhat more expensive, the price difference compared with the tuber celery is however minimal. Beyond that the Sellerie with foliage is connected with quite a lot of work and one needs a special mechanical equipment," the vegetable trader says about the differences between the two product segments.
Extract from the summer assortment of the Eßer company: Herbs and colorful salads characterize the product selection in summer.
Cool weather promotes celery sales
Celery is one of the most important vegetable crops in Eßer's assortment and is usually traded 12 months a year. "At the fresh market, celery is offered all year round and the demand is therefore quite stable. Nevertheless, the main sales window is mainly concentrated on the cold season, around March. Especially around Christmas time, there is an obvious upward trend in demand."
Fresh celery with leaf green from our own cultivation. Soon (from October) the first regional Chinese cabbage will also be on the market.
From traditional vegetables to salads and herbs
In 2006, the existing vegetable growing company was transformed into P-J Eßer und Söhne Gemüsebau GbR., a diversified cultivation and trading company with a focus on outdoor production. In addition to outdoor vegetables (such as celery, Chinese cabbage, cauliflower and beetroot), the company also offers a wide range of herbs and salad crops from its own cultivation. "Our outdoor herbs are in direct competition with Spanish batches during the summer. Their yields and prices have a great influence on our business. Weather permitting, our herbs will be available until Christmas. Depending on the weather, we will offer colorful salads until early-mid November."
For more information:
P.J. Esser & Söhne Gemüsebau GbR
Großmarkt Düsseldorf
Halle 13 Stand: 210
Tel: 02182 59104
Fax: 02182 823186
Mobile: 0163 5910402
landwirtschaft-esser@yahoo.de
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