In 2015, the Heitsch family ventured further into the processing of their own products. Starting with hand-peeled potatoes for regional restaurateurs, other forms of processing have developed into a flourishing business sector. Today, up to 100 tons of field-fresh vegetables are processed monthly, after which they are delivered throughout northern Germany. And despite today's challenges, it is still an upward trend, says Managing Director Lucas Heitsch.
Peeled onions and carrot pieces are part of the basic assortment.
March tends to be a quiet month for the Rosche-based company. "There are only a few items from regional cultivation at this time of year, such as onions, potatoes, celery and turnips. In terms of volume, we look back on a weak season for many vegetable products. We can still supply everyone, but volumes are generally tight and prices are very high," says Heitsch, pointing to the equally tight supply situation for imported vegetables. Added to this are the current cost increases, above all the higher labor costs.
Lucas Heitsch is at the helm of the company. In order to be able to be competitive in the future, the company is now investing in mechanical equipment.
Together with his partners, Lucas Heitsch cultivates around 100 hectares of arable land, handling some 700 tons of vegetables a year. The company supplies wholesale markets in northern Germany and wholesale customers from Dortmund to Berlin. Over the past decade, the company's product range has steadily expanded.
Heitsch: "Herbs from our own soils, especially parsley, dill and coriander, are particularly popular. If the weather cooperates, we will start the new season in mid/late May."
Planting cabbages.
Flower Sprouts, or cabbage florets, are also becoming more popular. "We have grown this crop for the second year, on about 0.5 hectares, and we already ended our sales in late November due to the high demand. The vegetable is rapidly gaining in importance, especially in fine dining and among the better weekly market traders," Heitsch notes. For the time being, no further expansions of the product range are planned.
Zucchini and broccoli.
Looking ahead to the new season, northern Germany's open ground vegetable sector is seeing a decline. "We have also cancelled one or two crops, such as leeks. I expect shortages and high prices this summer as well, as we have repeatedly had to deal with difficult weather conditions and corresponding lower yields in previous years as well. The current yield losses in Spain and Italy also do not really point to larges volumes of produce this summer," Heitsch concludes.
Pictures: Heitsch - Die Gemüsemanufaktur
For more information:
Lucas Heitsch
Heitsch - Die Gemüsemanufaktur
Am Dorfplatz 6
29571 Rosche
T: +49 5803/9299973
E-Mail: info@heitsch-gemuese.de
www.heitsch-gemuese.de