Demand for exotic fruit has declined noticeably over the past three years. "Until a few years ago, we sold significantly more exotic fruits. However, especially since 2022, i.e., the end of the pandemic, customers have been noticeably more cautious when it comes to unusual items. This is affecting not only sales of exotic produce, but also the entire premium segment, in which we have specialized over the years," explains Norbert Heep, managing director of the company of the same name based at the Cologne Wholesale Market.
Heep goes on to explain that the decline in demand is mainly due to increased price sensitivity. "The best example is stone fruit: during the season, we traditionally sell plenty of nectarines and peaches from France, which are around 30-40 percent pricier than those from Spain." Sales of these premium fruits tend to be more difficult because consumers, and often retailers themselves, no longer know the difference between products from their respective countries of origin. Expertise in the fruit and vegetable trade is declining rapidly.
Left: Heep offers dragon fruit from Vietnam and Ecuador on pre-order. Right: Rambutan
As is typical for this time of year, exotic fruits are currently overshadowed by domestic seasonal products, especially asparagus, strawberries, and, since this week, regional cherries, which are being sold alongside imported cherries from Spain. Heep: "As in the previous year, the first shipments of cherries from Koblenz arrived at the beginning of calendar week 23. The fruit is nice and crisp, has a good color, and is already in high demand." Heep has also been marketing regional strawberries from both open-field and protected cultivation for around two weeks. "The quantities available from the surrounding Rhineland region have remained stable or declined slightly in recent years."
Left: View of the wholesale market stall: Right: Early cherries from Koblenz
Scarcity and price increases characterize the asparagus market
The asparagus season is now in its second half. "In calendar weeks 20-21, there was a noticeable oversupply due to the warm, favorable weather. This led to correspondingly low producer prices of around EUR 5 to 5.50/kg for regional asparagus. Within two weeks, the picture has entirely changed: there was a general shortage of supply around Ascension Day, so that producer prices for first-class produce have now risen to EUR 10-11/kg," outlines the wholesaler.
Norbert Heep is managing director of the Cologne-based wholesale market company. The company has been synonymous with first-class fruit and vegetables for over 75 years and is an established partner for retailers, weekly markets, farm shops, and other wholesalers and catering suppliers within a radius of over 100 km around Cologne.
Traditionally, local asparagus is available until St. John's Day on June 24. However, experience shows that smaller loads are still available after the official end of the season, according to Heep. "If our producers still have produce, we offer it until July. We are also noticing that late harvests are increasing slightly, especially as bleached asparagus continues to be highly valued as one of the last seasonal products." This contrasts with green asparagus, which is available all year round in specialist shops. "There is demand for regional green asparagus, but there are only a few producers in the Rhineland who are involved in large-scale green asparagus cultivation. So we still see a discrepancy here." Regional cultivation mainly produces light green asparagus, which differs in color from the deeper green imported product from Spain or overseas. Following the domestic campaign, or in July, green asparagus imports from Mexico or Peru are likely to resume, he concludes.
For more information:
Norbert Heep
Früchte Heep GmbH
Markstr. 10
50968 Köln
Tel.: +49 - (0)221 - 93 70 73-0
Fax: +49 - (0)221 - 93 70 73 -25
[email protected]
https://www.frucht.de/