Due to the cold weather, business has been somewhat subdued at the Munich wholesale market in the first few weeks of the new year. "Sales of our main products from Italy, baby leaf, arugula, and baby spinach, could be better at the moment. However, we see absolutely no issues in terms of procurement. There is more than enough produce available, and the quality of the Italian vegetable imports is satisfactory," explains Georg Steinkeller, a buyer and seller at Giocola, based at the Munich wholesale market.
Georg Steinkeller and Naomi Thomas from Giocola e.K. during FreshPlaza's visit to the wholesale market in 2023
The situation is in no way comparable to the winter of '22/'23, Steinkeller continues. "Back then, it was extremely difficult to get produce and meet demand, both before and after the Christmas holidays." Nevertheless, the prices of all products are roughly at the same level as last year, the vegetable trader adds.
For now, the produce is sourced exclusively from southern Italy. "We expect the first batches of produce from northern Italy to arrive in early to mid-March. However, this is heavily dependent on the weather. In the event of a cold front, the start of the season may be delayed slightly, but if the sun is shining, things can move quickly," says Steinkeller, who also highlights the consistency of quantities and quality in Italy.
The challenging conditions also shape the daily trade at the most important wholesale market in southern Germany, Steinkeller observes. He mainly serves regional restaurants as well as specialist retailers and weekly market traders. "The shortage of skilled workers is increasingly noticeable in the local gastronomy sector. This not only leads to restaurants being forced to limit their opening hours, but also the variety on the menu. This, in turn, leads to more cautious purchasing, although we have the advantage that salad is a basic necessity," he concludes.
For more information:
Georg Steinkeller
Giocola e.K.
Munich Wholesale Market
Tel.: 08065 9061904
Fax: 089 76736760
Email: info@giocola.de
www.giocola.de