Although the traditional Christmas business has become less important over the years, December is still an exciting and high-turnover sales month in the fruit and vegetable trade. "The top sellers include all cabbage vegetables and lamb's lettuce," says Denis Piper, Sales Manager at Frischezentrum Melzig in Aschaffenburg. "French cauliflower is currently in rather short supply and is priced around 30-40 percent higher than last year. That's why we've switched to Italian produce. The Italian imported vegetables - such as kohlrabi, endive and radicchio - are being offered at relatively normal prices."
Unusual exotics are also very popular in the run-up to Christmas, says Piper. "Demand is not significantly higher than usual for the usual exotics such as mangoes and avocados, which I wouldn't even call exotic any more. Instead, people are turning to niche items such as pitahaya, grenadilla, carambola and lychees. In the case of the latter item, we are expecting the first shipments in a few days' time, as well as goods by air."
Denis Piper is sales manager at the Melzig fresh produce center and currently offers Madegassian lychees, among other things.
Stone fruit from overseas on the rise
According to Piper, sweet cherries and stone fruit from overseas are also becoming more popular with consumers. "We are currently trading the entire stone fruit range, whether peaches, apricots, plums or nectarines from South Africa, with the latter item being the most popular. We have also been offering Chilean cherries since week 49. Although cherries are not a big item in our customer base, i.e. in the food service and food retail sectors, we offer them throughout the winter from several countries of origin, such as the USA, Canada and South Africa."
All in all, the management of Frischezentrum Melzig can look back on an eventful but successful sales year. Piper: "The last few years have been quite turbulent due to multiple crises and this year was no different in that respect. There have been significant price increases for many products, which has dampened the mood accordingly. Certain items, such as carrots and potatoes, remained expensive even later in the year. Meanwhile, purchasing power was very subdued, particularly at the beginning of the year, which in turn led to a tough price war in the food retail sector and increased advertising campaigns in the low-cost segment. Fortunately, the situation normalized somewhat over the course of the year."
Figs and nectarines from the southern hemisphere.
Worker shortage and rising freight prices
The medium-sized wholesale company is primarily dedicated to supplying regional food retail markets, restaurants and hotels. The shortage of skilled workers is becoming increasingly noticeable in both the food retail and catering sectors. "At the same time, convenience is on the rise, which means that there is no need for staff in the kitchen. Convenience is also on the rise among consumers, for example in the form of bowls and fruit cups," explains Piper, who sources Freshcut products from regional producers.
In addition, the further increase in freight prices is currently shaping events in the German fruit and vegetable trade. "Freight prices are already increased every year in December. In addition to these regular increases, this year we are confronted with the toll increase on January 1. Ultimately, this will not only affect us in delivery, but throughout all stages of the value chain," Piper concludes.
Pictures: Fresh produce center Melzig
For more information:
Denis Piper
Frischezentrum Melzig
Magnolienweg 46,
63741 Aschaffenburg
Tel.: 0 60 21 / 150 87 – 0
Fax: 0 60 21 / 150 87 – 10
Email: info@melzig-gmbh.de
www.melzig-gmbh.de