As is the case for many other companies, PALM Nuts & More Nuss und Trockenfrucht & Co. is currently facing a major problem with the procurement of goods due to massive disruptions in the supply chains. The company from Buchholz/Nordheide sources and markets nuts and dried fruit from California, Australia, North as well as South Africa, Turkey, and other countries. As German partner of the Mariani Nut Company and Green & Gold Macadamias brands, the company sells the products to food retailers as well as to the industry.
"Dried fruits and nuts have enjoyed great popularity for the last 10-15 years, thanks in part to extensive marketing and better consumer awareness of the individual products," says Bernd Hofmeister of Palm Nuts and More. However, after difficulties with the Evergreen container at the Suez Canal coupled with Corona-related circumstances two and a half years ago, the situation remains tense in view of the Ukraine war, he says.
Joachim Alkewitz, Jens Borchert and Bernd Hofmeister (right) at Fruit Logistica 2022.
Good prospects for the new harvest
Despite this, however, the qualities of the current harvests remain good, he said. "We are now at the end of last year's nut crop from California, whether in shell or cracked. In July/August, we will then talk about the new crop, which should then be marketed in German food retail by September/October at the latest. So far, the outlook is good," says Hofmeister.
"Of course, freight prices have also risen, which has led to upward price adjustments. Apart from that, he says it is generally difficult to procure raw materials at the moment. "The frosts in Turkey, for example, have also had a major impact on the flowering of apricots. We have to evaluate and communicate climate change and related events in growing regions around the world accordingly."
Seasonal fluctuations
"Seasonally, there are always a few peaks, like the one before Easter. After Easter, demand drops off noticeably. But these are typical seasonal fluctuations." At the same time, however, the company has to deal with the fact that packaging materials have become expensive and are also difficult to obtain. "Usually, we always had a waiting time of four to five weeks until the packaging materials were delivered. Now it can be around eight to ten weeks."
Food safety
Food safety is also a hot topic at the moment, especially in the EU, he said. "Maintaining standards for our customers, is at the highest level, thanks to a well-implemented quality management system," Hofmeister concludes.
For more information:
Bernd Hofmeister
PALM Nuts & More Nuss und Trockenfrucht GmbH & Co.KG
Lindenstraße 17
D-21244 Buchholz/Nordheide
Tel.: +49 4181 9091 0
Fax: +49 4181 9091 80
mail@palm-nutsandmore.de
https://www.palm-nutsandmore.de/