Europe Edition
The Austrian sweet corn season is gradually drawing to a close. The fresh sweet corn can probably be delivered for another two to three weeks or so, as Franz Lehner, junior boss of the vegetable farm of the same name in Leonding, Upper Austria, tells us when asked. "Due to the wet spring and the subsequent heat, the yields this year have been rather below average. We were also not able to harvest our early stocks until mid-July, about two weeks later than usual. Sales-wise, the situation has been quite satisfactory so far."
After a price increase last year, there has also been a slight increase this year. In view of the increased production costs, the price adjustment was welcomed at producer level, describes Lehner, who mainly supplies Austrian food retailers.
Sweet corn from Upper Austria in a three-pack.
Consumption of fresh, domestic sweet corn is relatively constant in a multi-year comparison, it adds. "Demand is, of course, extremely weather-dependent. When it rains, there is little grilling, which in turn then immediately affects consumption. When the weather is sunny, on the other hand, demand tends to go up rapidly."
The sugar corn sector has also had some eventful years, Lehner sums up. "In 2020, at the beginning of the pandemic, people were cooking a lot at home, which was reflected in an increase in consumption. Meanwhile, sales have returned to pre-Covid levels." Despite the sometimes exorbitant jumps in costs, the vegetable producer is quite confident. "We are satisfied with our market share."
Images: Lehner Vegetables
More information:
Franz Lehner
Gemüse Lehner Spezialitäten Grosshandel
Limesstraße 40
4060 Leonding
Tel. +43 732/674250
Fax +43 732 / 680262
Mail: lehner@zuckermais.at
Web: www.zuckermais.at
