The annual change of season is also approaching at the local wholesale market in Nuremberg, with local fruit and vegetables increasingly being replaced by imported goods. "The quantities of fruit and vegetables from the surrounding Knoblauchsland region are already declining, so our imported vegetables from the gardens of Sicily, whether tomatoes, peppers, or zucchini, are increasingly becoming the focus of buyers. This certainly includes classics such as the popular Melinda tomato," says Angelo Fratelli, Italy specialist and managing director of Fratelli Azzarelli GmbH & Co. KG.
There is now also a wide range of Sicilian table grapes available, although demand is still declining slightly, Fratelli continues. The same applies to items such as prickly pears. "Unfortunately, this product is not profitable enough for me, so we only offer prickly pears on an occasional basis. As a delicatessen retailer, we have to differentiate ourselves from our competitors in terms of our product range in order to maintain our unique selling point."
© Flli. Azzarelli
Angelo Azzarelli (pictured here during FreshPlaza.de's visit to the wholesale market in winter 2022) is already offering the first Verdello lemons from Sicily.
Early demand for citrus fruits
Azzarelli is known far beyond the borders of the Nuremberg area for his wide selection of citrus fruits from Sicily. "It's hard to believe, but we have already received our first shipments of Sicilian Verdello lemons. The produce is of high quality, beautifully green, and has a high juice content. To be honest, such an early start to the season is new to me too, as we don't normally receive the first small quantities until mid-October." Nevertheless, the first early lemons are enjoying a gratifyingly high demand, according to Azzarelli. "This trend has been observable for some time now: our customers are no longer waiting for the first Italian loads, but are already asking for oranges, so we are also buying overseas produce from South Africa to be able to serve them accordingly. After all, the customer is and always will be king."
Azzarelli observes that climate change is shifting the cultivation structures on the island of Sicily. "It is still very warm in Sicily at the moment, with daytime temperatures around 30-35 degrees. This, in turn, is leading more and more producers to focus on tropical fruits such as papaya, mango, avocado, and the like. Exotic fruit cultivation has therefore become increasingly important in recent years. Although we also offer these products on an occasional basis, export volumes are still too low, and customers are still somewhat cautious. Nevertheless, Sicilian exotic fruits have the potential to become a more sustainable alternative to overseas produce."
Tomatoes from Sicily at the wholesale market stall of Fratelli Azzarelli GmbH & Co. KG
Declining fruit and vegetable sales
Due to the holidays, the mood at the local wholesale market remains subdued. "We hope that business will pick up again from week 38," outlines Azzarelli. In general, the share of sales accounted for by fruit and vegetables has gradually declined in recent years, especially in the catering sector. "This has prompted me to restructure by broadening our product range and gradually developing into a pure wholesale business with a full range of products," he concludes.
For more information:
Angelo Azzarelli
Fratelli Azzarelli GmbH & Co KG
Nimrodstr. 25
90441 Nuremberg
Tel: +4915159059031
[email protected]
https://www.fratelli-azzarelli.de