The first vegetable specialities from the sun-drenched island of Sicily arrived at Freiburg Wholesale Market in week 45. "The season always starts around this time of year and continues until March-April, depending on the weather. You can tell that people are buying very modestly across all segments, which is particularly noticeable for higher-priced items such as Italian vegetable specialities. Despite this reduction in purchasing power, we are quite satisfied with demand," explains Volkan Günes from the Freiburg-based wholesale company Sun Früchte.
Dandelion (left) and volcano asparagus
The wholesale market trader offers volcano asparagus, cime di rapa, celery, chard and dandelion from Italian cultivation, among other things. His customers include weekly market stockists, specialist retailers and restaurateurs. "There is traditionally an increase in demand at the beginning/mid-December. We see a similar peak towards the end of the season, i.e. around Easter. It must also be said that there is quite a large Italian community in the Freiburg area. In these circles, the products are naturally bought and consumed very actively."
© Sun Früchte Cime di Rapa (left) and celery stalks
Despite this year's extreme weather conditions in Italy, goods have been available so far, Günes continues. "There is more than enough produce available. The only exception is artichokes, as the season should have already started, but we are not yet being offered any produce." Meanwhile, competition with other countries of origin is manageable. "Due to their high quality, Italian field vegetables are generally very popular and Italian produce is often favoured over Spanish produce. At product level, celery has been gaining in importance in recent years, which is partly due to the fact that celery juice is increasingly being recommended as a sports supplement."
Images: Sun Früchte
For more information:
Volkan Günes
Sun Früchte
Großmarkt Freiburg
Tel.: +49(0)761 1374987
Mobil: +49 175 4573189
E-Mail: [email protected]
www.sunfruechte.de
