© OGZ eG
The 2025 bean harvest is currently in full swing. "We were able to harvest the first bush beans under fleece in calendar week 25, about a week earlier than usual. We are very satisfied with the yield and quality so far. The crops are looking uniform," reports Andreas Urbach, product specialist at Obst- und Gemüsezentrale Rhein-Main eG (OGZ) in Griesheim, Germany. However, it will only be possible to assess how the ongoing heatwave will affect the rest of the season from week 29/30 onwards. "A supply gap from week 29 onwards cannot therefore be ruled out – especially as we are currently in the transition from fleece to open-field produce," adds Urbach.
Right: Packaged bush beans and sweet corn
Demand has been stable so far, and the produce is selling well. Prices are at the same level as last year.
While food retailers have almost completely switched to domestic produce for bush beans, pole beans are still being imported from Morocco. Urbach explains: "Since pole beans have to be harvested by hand, domestic cultivation is much more labor-intensive and therefore more limited. In contrast, bush beans can be harvested by machine." Consumption of bush beans has remained constant in recent years. Outside the German season from June to October, OGZ takes over the procurement and marketing of imported goods, particularly from Morocco, Egypt, and Senegal.
German pole beans
Edamame establishes itself in retail
In addition to classic bean varieties, OGZ has been involved in the cultivation and distribution of edamame for five years, both conventionally and organically. Two other farms have now joined cultivation pioneer Andreas Senckenberg from Rheinfelder Hof.
"We will start harvesting at the end of July, and it will continue for eight to ten weeks. The crops are developing well, and we expect a satisfactory harvest," says Urbach. Edamame sells particularly well in economically strong regions but has also established itself in individual food retail markets. "The product has impressive characteristics: it is rich in protein, versatile, and stays fresh for two to three days even without refrigeration – a clear advantage in marketing. Edamame is therefore in tune with the times and fits in with the superfood trend."
© OGZ eG
Edamame is available in convenient 250g packs, including brief preparation instructions for consumers.
Sweet corn: First harvest
The harvest season has also begun for sweet corn. The first fleece-covered crops were harvested in week 26. This crop is less sensitive to heat than others. Nevertheless, its marketing success is highly dependent on the weather. "If the barbecue weather fails to materialize, demand drops noticeably," explains Urbach. Promotions are therefore adjusted at short notice based on availability and weather forecasts. From August, the main harvest period, sweet corn will be vacuum-packed for sale in the winter months in addition to fresh produce.
For more information:
Andreas Urbach
Obst- und Gemüsezentrale Rhein-Main eG
Raiffeisenstr. 2
64347 Griesheim
Telephone: 06155 8398 0
E-Mail: [email protected]
www.ogz.de
https://edamame.de/
