Large berry fruits
In the western areas of Germany, growers have already begun harvesting the first fruits nearly two weeks ago, says Ralf Hensen of the company with the same name in Swisttal. In his approximately 3 hectares of greenhouses, this grower mainly produces the Elsanta, complemented by the Opera and Malling Centenary varieties. “Our spring harvest season lasts until the end of May. From late April, however, the first outdoor products from tunnel cultivation are arriving on the market and we have to compete with the big and beautiful Clairy. That's when demand drops significantly.”
In addition to his glasshouses, however, Mr. Hensen also has an outdoor area that is used exclusively for growing strawberries. Here, the harvest is expected to begin between May 15 and 20, and the diversity of varieties is significantly larger. “We currently have 15 to 20 varieties in cultivation. The Roxanna is a good example of a strain that will surely prevail. In contrast to the greenhouse area, in free-range, the Elsanta is barely a factor.”
Premium sector
In the so-called garlic country in the Greater Nuremberg, the first strawberries from the greenhouse were ready for picking at the end of March, according to Fritz Boss of the company with the same name. This grower cultivates a greenhouse area of about 2 hectares and supplies both wholesale stores and regional retail stores. “We have about a third Sonata and two thirds Elsanta in cultivation. Now in the spring we have no problems to market the goods and the prices are also at a satisfactory level. Later in the year, when there are hardly any losses in the field, for example, prices can fall accordingly.”
For some years, the Nuremberg grower has produced strawberries and raspberries in his greenhouse, but only in small quantities. Here the harvest will probably begin around the 10th of May. Boss: “We notice that the so-called premium sector is currently pretty much covered. At the start, the prices for glasshouse goods are about 15 Euros/kg for the consumer. Not everyone is able to pay money like this.”
Strawberry specialist
Fruchthof Hensen was founded in 1966 and has established itself over the years as a specialized producer of strawberry production. Since 2011, the family of growers has a greenhouse as well as an outdoor area. In addition to this, the company has a long-standing partnership with international marketing company San Lucar. Meanwhile, they are able to offer strawberries from protected cultivation from April to December.
Strawberry specialist
Fruchthof Hensen was founded in 1966 and has established itself over the years as a specialized producer of strawberry production. Since 2011, the family of growers has a greenhouse as well as an outdoor area. In addition to this, the company has a long-standing partnership with international marketing company San Lucar. Meanwhile, they are able to offer strawberries from protected cultivation from April to December.
Mixed product range
The Fritz Boss’ company is located centrally in Garlicland, the 'vegetable garden of Nuremberg'. The company has a mixed product range and among others is one of the seven major German producers of chicory with an annual yield of approx. 1,800 tons. In addition, the grower has a 20-hectare open space on which mainly lettuce is grown.
For more information:
The Fritz Boss’ company is located centrally in Garlicland, the 'vegetable garden of Nuremberg'. The company has a mixed product range and among others is one of the seven major German producers of chicory with an annual yield of approx. 1,800 tons. In addition, the grower has a 20-hectare open space on which mainly lettuce is grown.
For more information:
Fruchthof Hensen Erdbeerkulturen
Dr.-Josef-Ströder-Str. 25, 53913 Swisttal
Telephone: 02255 – 8219
E-Mail: info@fruchthof-hensen.de
Gemüsebau Fritz Boss
Irrhainstraße 5, D - 90427 Nürnberg
Telephone: 0049 911 343085
Fax: 0049 911 343083
E-mail: info@fritz-boss.de
Web: www.fritz-boss.de