Naturally pure dried fruits
The pineapple rings from Costa Rica are unsweetened, 100% natural and fully ripe and are in demand all year round, affirms Michael Megerle, managing director of this specialized company. No additives or preservatives are used in the manufacture of the products. ''We have received these goods from Costa Rica for five years continuously and they are always quality products. However, we also package large, natural dried fruits like mango or papaya, as well as persimmon or dragon fruit in different formats. They are also shipped in custom mixtures and with our customer's label.''
The retailer emphasizes that there are also a number of great products that are still relatively unknown in today's food retail sector (LEH), which is why the dried fruit business certainly has great potential for development. ''In taste tests, Physalis, Persimmon (Kaki) or dragon fruit are very much appreciated as well. However, dried mulberries and sweet and sour cherries are known only to the insiders," says Mr. Megerle.
Enlightened consumers
In addition, the dry fruit business, as in the case of fresh produce trade, is likely to experience fluctuations regarding the quantities availability and the price ratios. This happens again and again with individual provenances, says Megerle. "Last year it was dramatic; Brazil nut kernels saw a 90% crop failure due to weather problems. And two years ago we had just a 40% crop of apricots in Turkey. In the 2016/2017 season, there was also a precarious situation with hazelnuts. Wherever bottlenecks occur, one tries, where possible, to switch to other sources and sometimes similar products."
Although the future of the product group looks promising, it is still primarily a premium segment. The goods, according to Megerle, are destined predominantly for the more enlightened consumers with certain requirements. Traders who are successful in this segment, are primarily those who have access to these consumers. "These are, above all, the end consumers who prefer a good and honest dry fruit, for instance as a snack."
