With the first deliveries arriving in calendar week 22, this year's export season for the popular 'Bella Italia' onions has officially begun. "We have about half of a normal harvest available, and most of it is small in size, so large onions 70+ are rather scarce. Overall, we expect good quality this year," reports Daniel Voll from Vau-Ge GmbH, based in Bobenheim-Roxheim. The Palatinate-based company has been a specialist supplier of Italian onions from central and southern Italy for many years. Ninety percent of the yellow onions are sold to food retailers throughout Germany via packaging companies.
According to Voll, the delayed start to the harvest was already foreseeable several months ago. "It was too wet and too cold, so sowing was postponed throughout Italy, and we are now starting the season a good week later. However, we are optimistic about the marketing of our onions. The marketing of older produce from the Netherlands and Germany is finishing a little earlier this year, so there will be no overlaps. Overall, we therefore expect a receptive market for our yellow onions." According to the expert, advertising campaigns will only be limited.
Due to the halved harvest, prices are above last year's level. Because of shorter transport routes, Italian onions are traditionally slightly cheaper than overseas produce from New Zealand.
Bella Italia onions: An established niche in Germany
Vau-Ge GmbH has been a reliable partner in the procurement and marketing of Italian onions for over 30 years. The company has its own contract growers and long-standing producer partners in the region of origin. Cultivation capacities have remained virtually unchanged in recent years, confirms Voll, who points to the relatively short window for his onions. "June is the main sales month for Italian onions. The marketing season is usually already over by the beginning to middle of July. Unfortunately, we have already lost ten days due to the late start to the season," he concludes.
For more information:
Daniel Voll
Vau-Ge GmbH
Roxheimer Straße 24
67240 Bobenheim-Roxheim
Tel: +49 (0 62 39) 60 43
Fax: +49 (0 62 39) 31 96
[email protected]
www.vau-ge.de