Quality-wise, Italy’s grapes are clearly in the lead

Arslan Ali Arsal

Rome: As the stone fruit season is slowly drawing to a close, gradually giving way to the grape season, this also affects organic wholesaler Roy’s Naturkost at the Nuremberg wholesale market. We spoke to Managing Director Roy Zylka about other products as well, such as his regional range of vegetables and exotics.

“In terms of quality, Italy’s grapes alone are clearly ahead with the regions of Sicily as well as Puglia. There are German grapes as well, but interest in this variety is rather restrained. Consumers want to buy regional goods as much as possible, but as soon as they contain seeds, the goods are hardly bought.”

Organic products, including Zylka’s, have not been as affected by sharp price fluctuations as conventional goods, he said. “Depending on the market situation, prices for conventional products have to be raised or lowered accordingly. This development does not exist in the organic sector in the same form, as the corresponding market volumes are lacking for this.”

Furthermore, demand for regional organic vegetables is higher than ever, he said. “Due to the rain, however, there have been some complete failures regarding lettuces. At the wholesale market, we’re all waiting for the schools and canteens to reopen, which will allow us to sell more lettuces again.” He also had the impression that pretty much all end customers or consumers had flown off on vacation for the vacation season. “So far, the fiscal year has been going quite well for us. But since July 30, there has been a massive drop. But because we also sell goods to conventional retailers and are wholesalers, we’ve been really lucky compared to some of our competitors.”

His products are marketed to wholesalers throughout Germany. “We now also sell our goods to cut stores, which has become a good market niche for us. In addition, market stalls as well as owner-operated retail stores are also among our loyal customers. What I like as well is that the conventional produce is mostly packaged, while the organic produce is sold loose.”

“The season for avocados from Spain starts in two weeks. Additionally, the first volumes of good quality mangoes from Spain are also available. The mangoes are relatively high-priced, due in no small part to their taste, which now rivals that of the airborne variety. The demand for good quality mangoes is always there.”