Due to extreme crop failures in Italy and low domestic pear stocks, Swiss wholesalers are currently increasingly dependent on alternative origins. Due to the exceptional situation, import quotas opened much earlier than usual this year, and from February 11 there will be no import restriction at all. In addition, previously unknown pear varieties and origins are now appearing in Swiss wholesalers, Zurich-based fruit trader Marco Haegeli confirms.
On Thursday, Jan. 27, the first Turkish pears of the Deveci variety arrived at Zurich's Engrosmarkt. "Swiss stocks are running low, Italian Abate Fetel are also scarce, so we looked around for other origins. The price-performance ratio of the Turkish pears positively surprised us all. The variety is outstanding in terms of quality, has hardly any skin defects, firm flesh, and has a very good shelf life," Haegeli says.
Marco Haegeli has added the Turkish pear to his range for the first time.
In terms of price, the Deveci pear is currently selling for between CHF 2.70-3.00/kg. Haegeli says, "That's a good price proportionately, especially since Italian Abate Fetel are currently trading at 4-4.50 CHF/kg." With a piece count of about 18 pears per colli, the calibration exactly meets the requirements of wholesale customers. "The Deveci is a medium-sized pear, making it very suitable for sales to market vendors. For the food service industry, on the other hand, it tends to be a bit too large caliber." The pear is expected to be available through June, he said.
High sales at weekly markets and farm stores
Despite lockdowns and gastro restrictions, Haegeli said the company has come through the crisis relatively well. "Of course, we have also had to cope with a drop in sales due to the restriction of gastronomy and catering. Shopping behavior has definitely changed: People have bought a lot at the weekly market and in the farm store, which in turn has been reflected in our sales. Nevertheless, we are all hoping for renewed easing by the end of February," Haegeli reports.
At the beginning of the pandemic, Haegeli decided to tackle the topic of organic more intensively. The expansion of the product range has clearly paid off. "Organic is on the upswing, and demand is still on the rise. There we definitely see further marketing potential in our catchment area. What we have just noticed is that the organic buyer is extremely sensitive to goods of Swiss origin. As soon as Swiss products hit the market, imported goods don't stand a chance."
For more information:
Karl Haegeli Erben AG
Marco Haegeli
Würzgrabenstrasse 6
8048 Zürich
Tel. +41 44 439 78 00
Fax. +41 44 439 78 09
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web: www.haegeli.com
