Among the 
most popular table potatoes offered by wholesale market trader Carl Bleyert in Dortmund are the Allianz, Annabelle and Belana varieties. At present, Bleyert is still selling potatoes from Germany, although he is gradually turning his attention to the first goods from Cyprus. His sales area falls within a radius of about 100km around the Dortmund wholesale market. For almost 100 years, the family business has established itself as a reliable potato and onion supplier and is now run by Bleyert's third generation.
"We are
currently selling the first produce harvested in November and December. But when the season will exactly end depends on climatic conditions, of course. Usually, the season draws to a close either in June or as late as August," says Bleyert. "The supply is still quite low, as customers still mainly buy German potatoes. German produce is already sold in September/October, so it is understandable that interest in Cypriot is still quite low. Especially since the Cypriot goods are also not early potatoes and are also considerably more expensive due to transport costs," Bleyert points out.
"100 kg of German potatoes are about 40 euros, while the same quantity from Cyprus costs about 90 euros. However, this was also the case before Corona. Since we buy the goods prepaid, I therefore cannot say exactly how the transport costs have increased locally," Bleyert notes. "For the German goods, we have in turn received price increases of 10-15% from our carriers several times, which is understandable given the high fuel prices. A liter of diesel cost about 1 euro a year ago, while this year we are already at 1.70 euros."
Bleyert considers the mood at the Dortmund wholesale market to be good, at least for those businesses that are not primarily focused on the food service industry. "I would say that we are not suffering from the Corona situation. It's true that the closure of the catering business has definitely had an impact on sales," says Bleyert. However, that has been offset by sales for home consumption. "People were cooking more at home again. Therefore, we had a good compensation through home sales. Businesses dedicated exclusively to gastro, of course, again had a hard time."
Bleyert's customers include food retailers and weekly market traders, with the largest customers being Turkish, Arab, Italian, Polish and Russian supermarkets in its immediate area. Bleyert sells the potatoes in 2kg, 2.5kg, 5kg, 10kg and 25kg nets. "The packaging units have remained the same and also cover the corresponding demand. We haven't had any drop in sales, as potatoes are always consumed." Based on experience, he said he could add potatoes from Spain and Italy to his range from April, provided the appropriate weather conditions are available for this.
For more information:
Carl Bleyert
Carl Bleyert Handelsges. mbH
Großmarkt Dortmund
Heiliger Weg 60g
44135 Dortmund
Tel: +49 231/ 52 75 21
Fax: +49 231/ 57 73 41
[email protected]
bleyert.de
