Arugula and cherry tomatoes are the main products delivered from the vegetable gardens of Italy in the summer, as Rasim Shateri, managing director of Gemex Handels GmbH, based at the Berlin wholesale market, tells us. He offers arugula twelve months a year with origin in Italy. "In the last three weeks, prices have risen noticeably again. Currently, arugula is on sale at about 8.80 euros/box. Despite these high prices, demand is virtually unbroken even in the summer, and we still sell up to ten pallets a week," says the wholesaler, who sources his goods via direct imports.
In addition to the year-round business with Italian arugula, Shateri markets herbs and leafy vegetables from Spain, among other products. "Otherwise, a lot is currently sourced from the Netherlands, such as iceberg lettuce. This item is also currently priced quite high, with package prices around ten to eleven euros. The same applies to Polish broccoli, which is on sale at over ten euros/crate. However, German goods have recently been somewhat more expensive, which is why we have switched completely to Polish products," he continues.
Rasim Shateri shows a crate of arugula from Italy.
According to Shateri, the wholesale business is struggling not only with high prices but also with extreme price fluctuations. "White and red cabbage were around 28 euros/25kg until recently, but now prices have dropped again to around twelve euros. Potato prices, on the other hand, have been consistently high and stable recently."
Summer slump nearing the end
Meanwhile, the mood at the local wholesale market is rather quiet due to the vacations, Shateri continues. "Many of our customers are on vacation, and due to a lack of staff, about 50 percent of regional food service establishments closed up shop for several weeks. However, the vacation season is now coming to an end, and I expect business to pick up in a week or two," he concludes.
For more information:
Rasim Shateri
Gemex Handels GmbH
Großmarkt Berlin
Tel.: 030 / 396 70 25
Tel.: 030 / 396 58 55
Fax: 030 / 398 79 391
Email: gemex_gmbh@gmx.de
https://www.gemex-berlin.de/