The final harvest of this year’s storage potatoes harvested from Bavarian cultivation have begun to circulate and mark the close of the growing season. The usual time for the last batch of regional packaged goods enters the market between mid and in the latter part of April, claims Maximilian Hofbeck (r), the deputy Managing Director of the famous sorting and packaging facility in Dietenhofen, Franconia. “Quality-wise the goods stored remain in good condition through the entire season. The prices were generally stable during February and March. However, there were some slight price rises in December and January.”
The company that packs and provides services for Germany’s southern region’s retail sector is also pointing out problems in the cultivation of crops most notably price increases due to inflation, however, there are also more challenging increasing conditions. “Climate changing and the pressure on pests together with the market’s demand for aesthetics and quality are posing significant problems for producers and packers and ultimately result in higher consumption than 5-10 years prior. Furthermore, because of the small-scale farming that is prevalent in Bavaria The tubers in Bavaria are more uneven than those in Northern Germany,” adds Hofbeck.
The regional season is winding down, the demand for imported products is steadily growing. Hofbeck: “In the area of early potatoes, we’re mostly packing Egyptian early potatoes to be consumed. The quality so far is extremely good, although there isn’t a lot of it. But, we’re only in the early stages, and we are not yet able to assess the entire amount.” In the last week this month, the first potatoes of the early season originate from Israel are expected to arrive. “The conflict has demonstrated that, within the industry of packaging that we still rely on both sources. Because of the conflict, there’s an absence of workers to sort the goods in Israel and this is evident by the sheer size of the items. It is not possible to find tiny potatoes as they are not separated from the source of material through Israel.” But, Israeli goods are generally better-looking as compared to Egyptian due to the particular soil conditions. This makes the Israeli products five to ten euro higher per kilogram.
Around 90 percent of onion and potatoes that are cleaned, sorted and packed in Dietenhofen is then shipped to the grocery retail sector. Additionally, the Nuremberg wholesale market gets its supply. The location of the business in this wholesale marketplace was set to the market a couple of years ago.
The expansion of the space of red onions to be anticipated
Like potatoes, the Bavarian onion industry is close to the conclusion of its growing season. Therefore, any products that originate from Northern Germany or overseas, such as Oceania (Tasmania or New Zealand) or South Africa and South Africa, are being employed. Hofbeck. “In the autumn, typically less wholesome batches are taken to the market. However, this year, regional purchasing presented a greater problem than normal due to the high humidity and the heightened difficulties with the quality. In the beginning of this season, it appeared like there was plenty of potatoes, but not enough onions. It completely changed by the end of the season: In recent months, the potatoes are quite tight while onions are abundant.”
Apart from yellow onions, Hofbeck’s firm additionally focuses on purchasing and selling of the red onion. “Unlike the yellow onions, red onions, also originate from Bavarian as well as non-regional are in short supply and costly this season. But, demand and supply vary from year to year. If there are enough seeds in the market, it is possible that due to favorable prices, the cultivating of red onions could expand again this year that could mean more supply of the product,” Hofbeck concludes.
Images: Fritz Hofbeck GmbH
More information is available here:
Maximilian Hofbeck
Fritz Hofbeck GmbH 
Plant to Sort and Pack
Seubersdorf 32
90599 Dietenhofen
Tel. 09105-997917
E-Mail: info@fritzhofbeck.de
www.fritzhofbeck.de