Germany: “Some apple varieties are expected to be gone in April/May”
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Author:pmo82412f
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Published time: 2018-01-02
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The majority of apple growers will remember 2017 as catastrophic and horrible. In some growing areas of Germany, yields fell by more than 50 percent compared to the previous year's yields. Due to the scarce supply of goods, the prices generally go in the direction of 1 euro per kg. That is double last year’s average price. The question is therefore not only how long the available quantities will be sufficient, but whether the customers will not switch to overseas goods.
The majority of apple growers will remember 2017 as catastrophic and horrible. In some growing areas of Germany, yields fell by more than 50 percent compared to the previous year's yields. Due to the scarce supply of goods, the prices generally go in the direction of 1 euro per kg. That is double last year’s average price. The question is therefore not only how long the available quantities will be sufficient, but whether the customers will not switch to overseas goods.
A survey of apple dealers clearly shows the shortage of goods. Especially for Jonagolds and Jonagoreds, quantities are very limited. This is also noted by Heino Umlandt, Managing Director of the fruit grocery store of the same name in Freiburg (Lower Saxony). “For the Jonagold and Jonagored things are significantly worse than for other varieties. We now have about 45 to 50 percent of a normal harvest available. For Elstar, however, the supply of goods fluctuates around 80 percent. For some varieties, such as Gala and Elstar, we may have to stop sales in April/May.” The Jonagold and Jonagored have one more problem: many apples are big, over 90 millimeters in diameter. Because of the scarcity even these 'giant apples' are put on the market relatively successfully.
The majority of traders confirm that current prices are unique and extreme. Umlandt: “I think the price situation we have now is one of the most expensive I have ever experienced. I think that's something special.” Despite these exceptional price conditions, the end consumer still buys local apples. At Christmas, for example, Boskoop apples are in great demand, as they are very good to use as baked apples in a cake. Some traders are already looking at apples from overseas. Umlandt: “That isn’t so bad for us, although our goods are of course more expensive than overseas goods. In addition, the imported goods were freshly harvested. That is appealing, of course. We will have to see what will happen.”
Apple specialist
Umlandt Obstgroßhandel has been around since 1979 and is one of the largest apple distributors in the Niederelbe region. Apples have been the main focus of the family business for many years, although the assortment now also includes pears and other soft and pome fruit. To supplement the domestic assortment, the company also purchases goods from Poland, Holland and Belgium.
