In summer, watermelons and other melon varieties are a hit on every wholesale market. The need for this refreshment at Cologne's fresh food center has also risen over the past two weeks. The long-established company Fermin Montaner GmbH & Co. offers melons of all origins. FreshPlaza talked to the present manager of the family business about the current market and the long-term developments in the wholesale market. 
Michael Rieke and Fermin Montaner Reinhardt at the wholesale market stall. The Fermin Montaner GmbH & Co company is mainly concerned with the supply of the German market. The main pillars of the business are the direct delivery of retail branches, as well as the wholesale trade. In addition, the company is also active in export and international transport.
Watermelons: sales growing
Regarding watermelons, the business in KW 25 got a boost, reports Montaner Reinhardt. "We currently offer batches from Iran and Italy, among others. Qualitatively, the Greek (with seeds) and Spanish (seedless) products are best. The Spanish fruits are a bit more expensive because of the seedless quality in the sales." For other products, the trader is already seeing some interesting tendencies: "The import from Iran is gradually growing. Morocco is always a bit cheaper than the other suppliers. In general, the watermelons are easy to trade, because there are large quantities on the market as well as many growing countries who want to sell their goods."
There are differences between the individual clientele anyway, commented Montaner Reinhardt. "The Germans usually prefer smaller watermelons, while the foreign consumer tends to go for larger melons. The fruit size is therefore already a major selling point. "In addition to the watermelons, other varieties are offered, says the ambitious trader. "We also offer honey melons, cantaloupe and Piel de Sapo at this time of the year. Honeydew melons are selling very well, but cantaloupe a little less so. Our selection is rounded off by secondary varieties such as Kirkagac, which we also offer in the assortment."
Always looking for something new and surprising
The grandfather of the current owner founded the Fermin Montaner GmbH about 60 years ago, being one of the first suppliers of Spanish citrus fruits. The product scale was gradually expanded to include new fruits and vegetable crops. Spanish and Portuguese products are still the core of the company. In general, the business of Spanish cuisine is "booming" in Germany, observes the trader, who is still trying to place new products on the market. "The wholesale market must offer something new and surprising, that is our function. For example, we have had loquats in our assortment for years. They are selling a little better just recently. In addition, we have also been able to gradually expand our Spanish new potatoes product line. We ended this campaign just under two weeks ago."
From regional products to fruit exotics
Despite the love for the Mediterranean and especially the Iberian peninsula, regionality is inevitably part of the modern German fruit trade. Also the company with Spanish roots must react to such social tendencies, admits the young owner. "In the course of this, we are offering additional German goods as part of our stand sales." However, restaurateurs still appreciate the choice of fruit exotics. "Here at the stand, mangos and avocados are always running fast, even in the summer."
For more information:
Fermin Montaner GmbH & Co. OHG
Herr Fermin Montaner Reinhardt
Marktstrasse 10, 50968 Köln
Tel: +49 221 934730-49
Tel: +49 221 934730-3
email: [email protected]
www.montaner.de
