Germany: Limited availability of berries and lower demand

10/03/2016

«Traditionally, berries are a product whose demand increases when the weather improves. Since the German weather is still quite cold, demand is very low.", explains Ralf Wisser, manager of the Ralf Wisser company, located in the fresh food market in Frankfurt. «Consumers are not demanding berries at the moment, our main clients currently are restaurants and hotels»

High prices in the market

The wholesaler and importer currently sources its berries from Italy, Spain and the Netherlands. «Among other things, we sell strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, currants and kiwifruit. But the availability of strawberries is limited, due to the cold weather in the region of origin, Spain. “That translates into high prices for producers and they are difficult to apply because demand is even lower than availability.”

Large Spanish strawberries

«The quality of the fruit is very good», Wisser points out. "We have seen worse." The manager only has to accept concessions for the strawberries. «The flavor of Spanish strawberries is good, but they are not too big. "Our customers don't like that and it shows in the demand.".

Despite the current cold, the experienced wholesaler remains optimistic. «When the weather improves, so will sales. It's just a matter of time".

Blueberries are fashionable

«Especially in summer, price competition is high»explains the importer. 'Strawberries and asparagus are now sold at whatever price is asked, often depending on the bargaining skills of the trader. Especially with strawberries ». The wholesaler recognizes a trend in blueberries. "They have always been in high demand". Before, blueberries were only in demand in summer, but now consumers want them all year round. Berries are increasingly consumed in Germany.

The customers of the wholesaler in Frankfurt are supermarkets, other wholesalers and weekly markets in the region. «We supply regional customers mainly with trucks from our own fleet»adds the manager. "A small part, for example the most distant wholesale markets such as Cologne or Hamburg, are supplied by an external delivery service".

Source: Freshplaza.es