This year's campaign of Spanish tropical fruits - like kakis and pomegranates - has now definitely started in Germany as well. Everywhere on the local wholesale markets, large quantities of Spanish products have been arriving. At the same time, the pure specialists' lists still offer customers exotic species like air-freight mangoes and papayas. However, `there is not a huge overlap, says Jürgen Weiler, Managing Director of the Karlsruhe-based wholesale company Fruchtprofis / Rolf Koch GmbH.
About 2.5 weeks ago, the first pomegranates from Spanish cultivation were welcomed on the Karlsruhe wholesale market. Furthermore, Turkish products as well as Israeli fruits are also on offer, says Mr. Weiler. ''Compared to the Turkish goods, the Spanish goods are slightly more expensive and they are more beautiful to the eye. However, the Turkish fruits are better tasting." The wholesaler also started buying Spanish wares around two weeks ago. In this segment, the Spaniards are still leaders in fruit quality, explains the wholesaler.
Fiber-free Kent mangoes
In addition to the above-mentioned tropical fruits, the major supplier in the city of Karlsruhe also sees itself as a specialist in exotic fruits. the Rolf Koch GmbH has been very well represented, certainly in the air-freight sector, for many years. During the main season, the company primarily sells fiber free Peruvian air-freight mangoes of the Kent variety. Currently, Brazilian fruits are also offered as a supplement to seasonal items. ''Despite the great presence of the aforementioned tropical fruits, the demand for exotic foods is quite stable. In addition, the season of Peruvian mangoes will only kick off in a few months, towards the end of the Spanish tropical fruit season. That means the two seasons do not overlap much.''
The Karlsruhe wholesale market sales stand
As an exotics specialist, the wholesaler is noticing some interesting developments. Above all, the absolute dominance of the Peruvian Kent mangoes within the wholesale sector is worth mentioning. ''The air-freight mangoes from Peru have clearly established themselves in recent years and are by far the most popular. In addition, we offer a number of varieties such as Keith, Red Moon and Osteen.'' Besides this, passion fruits are currently taking root at a rapid pace. "We source these fruits either from Ghana or Vietnam and we are now able to offer them almost year-round."
Air-freight goods in the company warehouse
Pick-up business
The Rolf Koch GmbH is a long-established trading company and has been on the Karlsruhe wholesale market for many years. The company mainly supplies foreign markets and specialty stores through its pick-up business. Trademarks of this firm are primarily exotics such as mangoes, papayas and passion fruits, as well as tropical fruits, table grapes and citrus.
For more information:
Rolf Koch GmbH - Fruchtprofis Karlsruhe
GF: Jürgen Weiler & Bernhard Lensch
Weinweg 43
Großmarkt Box 20, 58-60
76137 Karlsruhe
info@fruchtprofis-ka.de
www.fruchtprofis-ka.de