Demand for domestic apples on th
e domestic market is currently rather restrained. "The sales volume is actually too low for the time of year, so we were hoping for better sales. The sales pace should become stronger in the coming weeks," says Peter Thuile, managing director of BB Fruchthandel Ltd.
A lower buyer range can be observed for domestic apples, Thuile continues. "People are increasingly turning to other types of fruit. But I could imagine that the current pandemic-related inflation is also having an impact on marketing in food retail." Nonetheless, certain varieties remain in high demand, Thuile observes. "Elstar is continuously high on the consumer's list, and the same goes for Evelina®. However, the remaining club varieties are struggling in marketing at the moment."
Brandenburg apple harvest
Tessa from regional cultivation
Since this year, BB Fruchthandel has been exclusively marketing the club apple Tessa, a cross between Gala and Pinklady, from regional production for the first time. "The modern apple variety is picked in three passes and is harvested from the end of September. Due to its aromatic flavor and excellent storability, we see high marketing potential for the Tessa," Thuile explains.
New to the BB-Obst product range is Tessa (l)
Complementary apple imports
All in all, Brandenburg's fruit growers are enjoying an average harvest, with prices keeping pace with the previous year's prices. Due to excess quantities of small-caliber pome fruit, the larger grade is rather scarce and sought after, he said. "For Evelina, we will probably not have to resort to overseas produce from Chile or Argentina until the end of June. For the other varieties, we'll try to offer German goods as long as possible."
One of the stars of the club apple assortment is the Evelina
Corona, minimum wage and qualified personnel
The Corona issue hangs "like a sword of Damocles over the heads of the fruit trader," Thuile says. "Most of our staff have been vaccinated; otherwise, workplace testing is mandatory." In the longer term, Thuile said the apple sector also faces major challenges, such as raising the minimum wage. Policymakers must not jeopardize the competitiveness of regional fruit producers if they want to continue to find local fruit in supermarkets, he said.
Aerial view during picking
"The availability of qualified personnel is also a concern: as yet, the situation regarding the succession of farm managers or production managers at our growers is not problematic, but in a few years this will probably also play a role for us. This mainly concerns the farm management, which is responsible for plant protection, maintenance work and harvesting. We need to make the workplace attractive to the younger generation."
Crisp apples from Brandenburg fruit farms
Development of variety selection
In terms of marketing, variety innovations are the order of the day on the apple shelf, he said. "We are constantly on the lookout for new varieties, especially since consumer desires are changing noticeably. The relevance of Idared is noticeably decreasing and increasingly new club varieties are pushing into the market."
Images: BB Fruchthandel Ltd.
For more information:
Peter Thuile
BB Brandenburger Obst GmbH
Dorfstraße 37
D-15345 Altlandsberg OT Wesendahl
Tel: +49 (0) 33 41/ 4 98 77 - 0
Fax: +49 (0) 33 41/ 4 98 77 - 49
E-Mail: thuile.p@bb-obst.com
www.bb-obst.de