Aug 18, 2020
The early signal of the Turkish grape season is now looming. In a few days the first Sultana batches will arrive at the Stuttgart wholesale market, confirms Enes Cakmak, junior managing director of the Fresh Maximum LLC based there. “We expect a high-priced start of the season: according to current information, the starting price will be 10-20 percent higher than last year’s level.”
The campaign of seedless Sultana grapes is usually continued deep into December. “We expect a successful campaign this year with correspondingly high sales,” adds Cakmak, who is one of the largest suppliers of the popular fruit on the German market. “Although we are not the first on the market, we prefer to start the season a little later and offer high quality right at the beginning of the campaign.”
In addition to the Sultana grapes, there are also superior batches from Turkish cultivation at the beginning of the season. “I am against this because in practice they are often sold as Sultana,” warns Cakmak.
Established brands of Grapes:
The Stuttgart-based company offers its grapes under three proven trademarks, namely Elele, Efendi and Elizi. The company is the exclusive sales partner of this brand at the Stuttgart wholesale market as well as in the entire state of Baden-Württemberg and mainly supplies specialist retailers and delicatessen dealers. “Our brands gain in importance every year. Local customers are also increasingly appreciating them. The growth rates for grapes in particular are quite pleasing. The demand is increasing year by year. Some of the Sultana grapes are also exported to France and Italy” said the company’s official.
Ecologically friendly packaging solutions
The majority of Turkish grapes are packed in 5kg wooden crates, usually filled with smaller bags. “The packaging makes a big difference, especially with grapes. That’s why we are also trying to switch to sustainable solutions in the near future. In close consultation with our Turkish supplier, we are working hard to find a suitable alternative,” he added.