Red pepper
Currently, the company buys its sweet peppers exclusively from Morocco, where the GmbH has a contract of approximately 200 hectares. But the market is relatively weak at the moment, says Di Maggio. “We are currently dealing with major quality issues and some failures, and the prices go up. On the other hand, the relatively cheap products from Holland and Spain are now also available, which is why Moroccan products are not so profitable. The sweet peppers from German glasshouses are mainly sold in the premium segment and are not competing with us, since we primarily supply supermarket chains.”
However, over the years Apimex GmbH has established itself above all as a competent marketer of Hungarian products. Since Central Europe recently also had its share of cold weather, the plants were planted two weeks later than normal. At the end of June, the first lots of red peppers are expected to arrive in the German market, but the yellow pepper business starts one month earlier. “About 80 to 90 percent of the export volume in Hungary is red. Yellow, on the other hand, is particularly suitable for Eastern European trade and the market share for green peppers is lowest.”
Red pointed peppers have been a popular product in German retail for years
Fertile soil
However, new varieties are also being tested on Hungarian soil. Due to the lack of the right certification and the smaller structure of Turkish production companies, Hungary was able to become a good, alternative growing area for Turkish pepper varieties, according to Di Maggio. “After successful trials in our Moroccan fields, this year we are testing three varieties in Hungary: the green, long sivri and the two yellow-green varieties Charlie (medium long) and Dolma (small). Several years ago, we have already done the same with other types of peppers, such as the Spanish Piementos de Padron.”
Fertile soil
However, new varieties are also being tested on Hungarian soil. Due to the lack of the right certification and the smaller structure of Turkish production companies, Hungary was able to become a good, alternative growing area for Turkish pepper varieties, according to Di Maggio. “After successful trials in our Moroccan fields, this year we are testing three varieties in Hungary: the green, long sivri and the two yellow-green varieties Charlie (medium long) and Dolma (small). Several years ago, we have already done the same with other types of peppers, such as the Spanish Piementos de Padron.”
This week the first lots of Chinese cabbage from Hungarian fields were marketed
In addition to the pepper business, stone fruit is also an important source of sales for Hungarian growers, and consequently for Apimex GmbH as well. Apricots and plums in particular, are sold in large quantities through the trading company annually. “Starting in early June, we normally bring the first volumes on the German market. However, according to today's information, we expect rather low returns. Due to the frost in the flowering season, we have up to a 50 percent drop in apricots.”
In addition to the pepper business, stone fruit is also an important source of sales for Hungarian growers, and consequently for Apimex GmbH as well. Apricots and plums in particular, are sold in large quantities through the trading company annually. “Starting in early June, we normally bring the first volumes on the German market. However, according to today's information, we expect rather low returns. Due to the frost in the flowering season, we have up to a 50 percent drop in apricots.”
Balkan products
The Apimex Group consists of three independent GmbHs in Munich, Austria (based in Wels) and Hungary. Over the years, the company's product range has grown steadily: today, the company buys its goods from Morocco and the Balkan countries. Cucumbers for pickling, for example, are becoming more important for the company: from the end of May this season is gradually getting started with products from Bosnia, Macedonia, Serbia and Romania.
For more information:
Apimex Fruchthandel GmbH
Inh. Marco Di Maggio
Postfach 750502
D-81335 München
Tel.: +49-89-76 77 45-0
Fax: +49-89-76 77 45-20
eMail: info@apimex.de
Web: www.apimex.de