Naturkost Übelhör & Co. offers a wide range of nuts, dried fruits and other products, imported from 52 countries and marketed internationally. Among other things, the company offers several hundred tons annually, says Andreas Kellner, head of product group management at Naturkost Übelhör.
Andreas Kellner. Photo: Naturkost Übelhör
From 500-600 tons to 400 tons of raisins
"As a large buyer, we get very good prices at extremely good conditions. However, in view of the current situation, our producers have had to raise their prices massively. As a result, we are expecting a lower sales volume of around 400 tons this year. This is due both to the price situation, but also to the fact that our customers are much more cautious than before," says Kellner.
Price increase of 15 to 20 percent
He also anticipates a price increase of 15 to 20 percent. "The price is currently trending in a direction where our customers are considering whether they can use raisins at all. If necessary, they will have to change the quantities used or their recipes, if that is at all possible," Kellner says. The raisins are supplied both to the processing industry, such as muesli manufacturers, and to packaging companies.
Rain causes quality problems
"We get the majority of our products from Turkey, a tried and tested cultivation area that harbors years of experience in the organic sector and complies with any specifications and measures necessary for organic goods. Due to the many rains, the farmers there could not dry their raisins as quickly as they are used to. The fruit is sometimes at risk of getting moldy, because many producers will dry their raisins in the sun. However, we also cooperate with producers with suitable drying facilities, to ensure our supply."
Image: Naturkost Übelhör
Aside from increased prices, there have also been trade embargoes in the wake of the war in Ukraine, so certain products, such as pulses, could no longer be exported from Turkey, Kellner says. "Nuts and dried fruit are less affected by this, however. Currently, it is indeed the case that Turkey is struggling with sales problems."
Although 95-97 percent of Naturkost Übelhör's product range consists of organic products, the company also offers conventional goods, he says. "Before producers can enter the organic sector, they have to comply with certain transition periods. We want to support farmers as much as possible during this transitional period, by offering to market their products as conventional goods." Furthermore, since organic foods are currently very highly priced, they may get out of the reach of many consumers, he said. "In the wake of this, we are now dedicating ourselves to conventional goods as well."
Organic ginger and turmeric from Peru
Through its branch in Peru, the Leutkirch-based company can also source organic ginger, turmeric as well as avocados, which are sold as fresh produce, as are organic limes from Mexico. "The quality of the organic goods is very good. Despite the higher price, consumers are willing to pay more for Peruvian ginger than, say, ginger from China," Kellner said. "Consumers are of course aware that products like figs are not produced in Germany. Nevertheless, our customers specifically ask for regional products, which is why we now also offer beet sugar from Italy as an alternative to beet sugar from Russia or cane sugar from South America."
For more information:
Andreas Kellner
Naturkost Übelhör GmbH & Co. KG
Friesenhofen-Bahnhof 23-25
88299 Leutkirch
Tel: +49 (0) 75 67 98 81 - 71 00
Fax: +49 (0) 75 67 98 81 - 72 20
info@organic-germany.com
www.organic-germany.com