With immediate effect, the Karlsruhe-based trading company Gemüsebau Frey is cooperating with Del Monte®, one of the world's leading suppliers of fresh produce, known for its long experience and outstanding quality. The wholesale and food retail service provider located at the Fresh Produce Center exclusively purchases and sells bananas and pineapples from Del Monte®. A logical step for the Frey company, which has developed over the years from a traditional vegetable trade to a full-range supplier.
In its product range, Del Monte® offers fresh, air-shipped Extra Sweet pineapples or snack and baby bananas. "We had been in contact with Del Monte® for quite some time and we wanted to offer the retail trade a premium alternative to the traditional brand bananas," says Andreas Frey, co-managing director of the family business.
Pre-ripened bananas from Del Monte® are now available exclusively from Frey.
Pre-ripened bananas and air-freighted pineapples
The Frey company receives the bananas in different ripening stages, according to the customer's wishes. "The most popular is middle ripeness level 3, which is a somewhat greener product, that soon turns yellow. Otherwise there are 3.5 - suitable for immediate sale - and 2.5 - green bananas for post-ripening. However, the price difference between the pre-matured Del Monte® batches and the bananas available on the market is only minimal. The price-performance ratio of this product is excellent."
Air-shipped 
pineapples are also supplied in various quality grades. "5- and 6-caliber in 11 kg cartons are generally the most in demand," Andreas Frey states. Despite alarming news about a lack of airfreight capacity, the company management says that the airline pineapple is available in pleasing quantities. "We have not seen any gaps in supply so far, and supply and demand are roughly in equilibrium."
Cooperation and overall diversity
The Frey family business has its roots in vegetable growing. In the course of a 2012 generational handover, the company has grown from a pure vegetable trade to a full service partner of the food retailer with full assortment. "In terms of assortment, the overall variety is our top priority. Furthermore, it is particularly important to us that the cooperation - both with regional producers and with internationally operating partners - is mutually valued. We attach particular importance to a healthy marketing structure, which is also profitable for the producer."
Sluggish market for lamb's lettuce
The ambitious entrepreneur is still really focused on regional and seasonal vegetables. At the moment, regional lamb's lettuce is available in abundance. "We currently sell around 200-300 kg of lamb's lettuce per day. This could be a little more at this time of year, but it is still too warm outside. This is reflected in the pricing. We therefore hope for increased sales in December."
For more information:
Gemüsebau Frey GmbH
Andreas Frey
Großmarkt Karlsruhe
+49 721 61 41 19
a.frey@gemuesebau-frey.de
www.gemuesebau-frey.de
Del Monte (Germany) GmbH
Am Schlossfeld 6
D - 97828 Marktheidenfeld
Tel: +49-9391-5070-26
info@freshdelmonte.com
www.delmonteeurope.de