Noticeable bottlenecks and a lack of desired calibers characterize the current onion import from Spain. "The caliber 80-100 for the wholesale markets and gastronomy as well as the 70-80 for the retail market are hardly available. The somewhat smaller 60-70 grade, on the other hand, is still available in sufficient quantities. Price-wise, the imported onions are at 28-30 euros/25kg on the way out, which is far above the average level of 12-13 euros/bag," reports Felipe Sturmberg of Jersa Fruchtimport GmbH.
The new Spanish onion crop is now taking off with the first early varieties, but the main volumes are expected to hit the market from week 18, depending on weather conditions. Sturmberg says, "Parallel to the Spanish onions, we also offer lower-priced overseas goods from Chile as well as China, and smaller quantities from New Zealand and Tasmania."
The Bergisch Gladbach-based company is known nationwide for its garlic imports, mainly from Spain. "Easter sales have been okay, although we would have hoped for a little more. The cold weather has all had a negative impact on garlic marketing," Sturmberg said. Despite increased operating and production costs at origin, garlic prices are only slightly higher than last year. "Another price increase by the start of the new garlic crop in June would definitely be desirable."
Regional and premium quality
In the longer term, Sturmberg says there is a clear trend toward European goods. "Domestic food retailers are clearly focusing on Spanish goods, with smaller food retail chains also increasingly preferring goods of Spanish rather than Chinese origin." A similar trend is emerging for fresh green garlic, he said. There is still mainly green garlic from Egypt, from week 18-19 the first Spanish goods will be loaded. In mid-June, there will then be the first batches from the Netherlands and Germany. "Last year we also offered fresh garlic from NRW for the first time, grown on about 2-3 hectares near Aachen. This product showed high quality and freshness, which is why we will continue the project this year."
Rounding out Jersa's product line is premium garlic of the Morado variety. "We offer this Spanish premium variety partly hand-peeled and in attractive wooden crates, and we notice that the product tends to enjoy increasing popularity. Due to the firmness and stability of the product, people are increasingly asking specifically for this variety," Strumberg further describes.
Left: Egyptian green garlic, Right: Spanish early onions
Water problems jeopardize garlic cultivation in southern Spain
Nonetheless, he says, the omens in Spain, Europe's main garlic-growing country, are not very bright. "There has been a tendency to plant less in recent years, but due to our good, long-standing contacts, we are still well stocked. What also worries us, however, is the increasing water problem, especially in the southern Spanish growing areas. This is already forcing smaller growers to go out of business, but in the longer term, it's just that garlic cultivation will increasingly move north."
Images: JERSA Fruchtimport GmbH
Further Information:
Felipe Sturmberg
Jersa Fruchtimport GmbH
Zum Scheider Feld 40
51467 Bergisch Gladbach
Phone: +49 (0)2202 980 860
Fax: +49 (0)2202 980 866
Email: jersa@jersa.de
www.jersa.de