The weather is playing right into the hands of early potato growers in the Palatinate region. "The first loose-skinned bagged produce from the Palatinate was already available on May 20. The crops under double foil have produced high yields and mostly large tubers so far. The crops under single foil have also produced high yields, but with slightly fewer large tubers. All in all, supply currently exceeds demand," summarizes Michael Hurler, managing director of the potato wholesaler of the same name at the Stuttgart wholesale market.
© Hurler GmbH
Left: First German onion sets (70-90) of the PfälzerGold brand. Right: Michael Hurler shows fresh garlic from the Palatinate.
Following the recent price reductions in the Palatinate and Baden-Württemberg, current prices are up to EUR 15-20/dt below last year's level. Hurler: "Given that the early potato season is starting early this year, there is slightly more competition than usual from imported produce, for example, from Egypt and Spain. At the same time, customers are somewhat more cautious in their purchasing decisions." Annabelle, still the flagship of the Palatinate early potato industry, is expected to be available until mid-July. Meanwhile, the 'Grumbeere' potatoes are of excellent quality. "The current deliveries are almost without exception flawless, with nice firm skins and very clean."
Once the early potato campaign is over, it will continue seamlessly with mid-early produce, followed by the main harvest of ware potatoes. For many years now, the family-run company has mainly relied on Bavarian storage potatoes, which are usually available from October.
© Hurler GmbH
Fresh garlic and early potatoes from the Palatinate region
Weekly markets report a decline in sales
In addition to potatoes, Hurler Gebr. GmbH also sources and markets other vegetable products, including onions and garlic. "For several years now, we have also been offering fresh garlic from the Palatinate region on a seasonal basis. Thanks to good growing conditions, we were able to offer the first regional garlic in mid-May and are currently receiving mainly large bulbs (size 70+). Unfortunately, however, demand in this area is also very subdued. One of our most important sales markets is the regional weekly markets, which have suffered certain sales losses this year. This is mainly due to the holiday weeks and postponed weekly markets due to city festivals and the like. This chain reaction is also having a corresponding impact on our business," says Hurler.
© Hurler GmbH
Regional, fresh garlic from the Palatinate
German onion season
Onions are also an important product for the company. "The arrival of the first onion sets from the Palatinate in calendar week 26 officially heralded the start of the new German onion season. At the same time, we have already been offered the first Dutch loads, which indicates an early start to the season overall. In the household onion segment, New Zealand imports, which were all flawless this year, were particularly well received, followed by Italian onions, which we have only offered briefly in recent weeks," reports Hurler.
Newly harvested sweet onions from Spain are now gradually coming onto the market. Hurler: "Apparently, the first few deliveries have been almost completely canceled. However, the season for Grano onions with firm skins is about to begin. For several years now, early Spanish onions have been facing increasing competition from cheaper produce from Turkey, which is now also available in large quantities on the local wholesale market. However, this is only available for a short time and usually disappears from the market gradually from week 28 onwards."
Tim and Michael Hurler manage the potato wholesale business of the same name, based at the Stuttgart wholesale market.
For more information:
Michael Hurler
HURLER GEBR. GmbH
Stuttgart Wholesale Market
Tel: +49 1512 309160
[email protected]
