Heavy sales losses in the fruit division

In 2017, BayWa Württemberg increased its sales to 578 million euros (previous year: 570 million euros). Technology, energy and building materials increased. Agriculture performed well despite difficult markets; the fruit area suffered partly from catastrophic weather conditions. Well positioned overall, BayWa continues to invest in the region and increasingly brings digital innovations and projects to Württemberg.

Fruit: increase sales in Württemberg in 2018
In the fruit sector, sales fell to 45 million euros (previous year 57 million euros). Catastrophic weather conditions in part led to significant quality and volume loss. In the Lake Constance region, there was a decline in crops of up to 70 percent. Because the harvest in Europe was significantly lower than the averages of recent years, prices were high. "Due to the high losses in our growing areas, the stable, high prices could not compensate for the deficits," said Carolin Metzger, consultant for fruit. With normal weather conditions, we expect a good harvest on Lake Constance in 2018 "and we will thus increase sales in the region again".

At the locations in Württemberg, the fruit division will invest a good 4 million euros in 2017/2018. One focal point is the renovation and modernization of the administration building on the fruit wholesale market in Ravensburg.

The fruit division is now part of BayWa's Global Produce business. Under this heading a number of participations and activities are united nationally and internationally. Carolin Metzger responded to the internationally oriented innovation project ‘Climate Greenhouses’. BayWa builds high-tech greenhouses for special vegetables like tomatoes. The construction of these facilities, the subsequent sales to investors and the distribution of the products by BayWa form a larger part of the value-added chain. This will help to stabilize the business - also against volatile effects resulting from extreme weather conditions.

For more information:
www.baywa.de