The supply of domestic potatoes and onions is gradually expanding, in parallel with the new harvest. However, the lack of precipitation as well as the persistent drought are currently putting extreme pressure on domestic growers. "We do not have concrete figures on the yield losses at the moment, across the entire range, nevertheless, for certain items the quantities are lacking, for others the size. In the case of potatoes, for example, local produce is available in sufficient quantities, but large-caliber potatoes are hard to come by right now," says Steffen Gurak, site manager of Groka/Grove at the Hanover wholesale market.
On the sales side, the increased inflation is surely making itself felt in a staple food like potatoes, Gurak continues. "Sales could be a little better and are rather mediocre overall. But this is by no means due to prices, as these are only slightly above last year's levels. Nevertheless, cost increases along the entire supply chain are omnipresent at the moment, which in turn also becomes a concern for us traders."
The Groka team at the wholesale market in Hanover with stand manager Steffen Gurak (r).
Connecting to the new harvest
Neither does Gurak rule out the possibility that the weather-related yield and quality losses will have a ripple effect down the line. "Precisely because the wholesale market can, after all, fall back on the goods in GROKA's warehouses, we will ensure that our customers are consistently supplied with German goods until June 2023, even despite the adverse weather conditions in 2022. We will certainly supplement the range with Sieglinde, Galatina or Italian Annabelle, the aim being to offer customers German potatoes and also onions until after the new harvest."
Groka has already had its own location at the Hamburg wholesale market for many years. Through this branch, caterers, specialist retailers and other wholesale customers are supplied on time with potatoes, onions and other fruit and vegetables from imports and abroad. "Sales-wise, the two pandemic years have been outstanding for us. We won't be able to tell if sales will return to pre-Corona levels until the winter."
For more information:
Steffen Gurak
Groka GmbH
Standort Hannover
Tel +49 511 466178
Fax +49 511 4340628
info@groka-dollbergen.de
https://www.groka-dollbergen.de/