For about a week, the popular figs from Turkey are available at the Munich wholesale market. Nevertheless, the current demand is still restrained due to the vacations, observes Hüseyin Gürbüz, fig importer and managing director of Efendi Fruchthandels GmbH, based at the Munich wholesale market. "The fig campaign will not really get going until September," he expects.
The European fig season began about a month ago with the first arrivals from Italy. "The Italian season was relatively weak, as the qualities of the fruit suffered greatly due to the heat wave with temperatures reaching 40 degrees in June and July. Accordingly, the quantities of exportable green figs were quite manageable, which is why demand exceeded supply. Very little produce could also be obtained from Spain and Greece. Spanish goods were offered to me, but at very high prices, which is why we decided against them," Gürbüz looks back on the start of the season. Italian figs averaged around six euros/kg.
Efendi's fig assortment: from left, green and black figs from Turkey and prickly pears from Turkey and Italy.
Cultivation trials in southern Turkey
Gürbüz continues that Turkey has also had to struggle with the heat in some areas. For the time being, however, there is no talk of a significant drop in volumes. According to initial information, export volumes are expected to remain at around the previous year's level. "Turkey, especially the Bursa region, is known for its black fig which is not produced elsewhere. Interestingly, there have also been cultivation trials in the Mersin-Adana area in southern Turkey for several years. Due to the warm climate, the product comes to the market a little earlier than the Bursa product, which is of course particularly advantageous. We are also now offering this early product and the response from our buyers has all been positive."
In general, he says, the fig has been able to assert itself over the years as an integral part of the seasonal fruit range. The fruit can also now be found on the shelves of leading food retail chains, says Gürbüz, who himself mainly serves specialist retailers and gastro customers. "At the wholesale market, the thicker calibers in particular, especially the 16-caliber, are very well received. On the other hand, 20- and 22-caliber products are more difficult to sell. Normally, we are able to offer Turkish figs until mid-October, although we then usually have to resort to cold storage from mid-to-late September."
This week the last Turkish cherries were sold and soon the apricot season will also end, after which full attention will be given to the marketing of figs and grapes.
Sultana grapes season starts
With the export release on August 15, the first Sultana grapes were also loaded from Turkey to Europe. Gürbüz says, "If everything goes according to plan, these will arrive at our plant on Monday, about a week later than usual. According to the producers, we have to expect hail damage and corresponding quality losses, plus of course the increased production and operating costs with which the Turkish producers also have to contend. Overall, I expect a price level around 2.40 euros/kg at the beginning of the season, slightly above last year's level."
All in all, Efendi's management looks back on a good summer business. "The food price increases are of course felt on a daily basis in the wholesale business. Nevertheless, we had consistently good business until the start of the vacations, and the Sicilian grapes in particular were very well received this year," concludes Gürbüz.
Images: Efendi Fruchthandels GmbH
Further information:
Hüseyin Gürbüz
Efendi Fruchthandels GmbH
Großmarkt München
TEL +49 171 8097506
[email protected]