Marco Kübler has been running Fruchtgarten Bayreuth for about five years and is starting the new year full steam ahead with various vegetable products. Although the mood among his customers, about 90% of whom are catering businesses, is rather depressed, he says. However, business was better again among customers who have a to-go option or good outdoor areas.
Marco and Liyana Kübler
Dynamic clientele
Various types of cabbage are in particular demand at the moment. But sprouts and products like Bimi broccoli are also particularly popular. Products such as Brussels sprouts, white cabbage and red cabbage are currently purchased by Kübler via import from Holland. Fennel and Cima di Rapa, on the other hand, is sourced fresh from Italy.
"We've been able to drive good sales every year so far, despite Corona, and we're still very much on an upward trend. I can't necessarily say yet whether things have been significantly better or worse than in previous years, as new markets open up with each passing year. Our customers are now so dynamic that we can adapt accordingly through innovation and flexibility. And so far we have been able to handle every situation well and increase our business," Kübler notes.
Increased material costs
Overall, he says, there have been no major problems for his business. His customers are glad that there is no radical lockdown in Germany, as there is in the Netherlands, for example. Kübler: "Our customers' hands are still quite tied in terms of event design due to the regulations, which is why the mood is still somewhat restrained. But I don't think the 2G rule is necessarily the problem, because more and more people want to go out and eat."
Increased energy and material prices have also been felt at times by Kübler's business. "Among other things, we import products for Asian kitchens. Since containers are no longer so easy to obtain and packaging materials have become enormously more expensive, price increases are to be expected here. However, this area represents only a small part of our range. In general, it can be said that fruits and vegetables are the least problematic in terms of cost."
For more information:
Marco Kübler
Fruchtgarten Bayreuth GmbH
Bindlacherstrasse 4
95448 Bayreuth
Tel: +49 (0) 921 16 33 30 13
Fax: + 49 (0) 921 16 39 29 03
E-Mail: info@fruchtgarten-bayreuth.de
Web: https://www.fruchtgarten-bayreuth.de/