"We are now running our business in the third generation, although we have been around on the wholesale market for more than 50 years," Friedrich Neber, who runs the business of the same name in the municipality of Berglen together with Gudrun Neber, tells us. "We were a classic nursery business that focused on the production of balcony and young plants. In the beginning, the wholesale market was used to supplement our product range. However, about 20 years ago, we decided to abandon the bedding and balcony business. Since then, we have specialized in vegetable production."
Gudrun and Friedrich Neber at their stand at the Stuttgart wholesale market
Focus on greenhouse cultivation
Originally, Neber grew his vegetables outdoors. However, he said, conditions in the region were not ideal, especially with regard to irrigation options. "As a result, we dedicated ourselves exclusively to greenhouse cultivation with a focus on cucumbers, tomatoes, basil, mint, and other commodities. In addition, we also farm state-of-the-art foil houses." He receives produce such as peppers, carrots, as well as red radishes from grower friends to expand the assortment. Neber himself grows tomatoes and cucumbers almost year-round. "In week 13/14, we start with both products and offer them until the end of October. In winter, the foil houses again produce lamb's lettuce in small quantities."
Depending on the product, Neber has to work with up to 30 percent higher costs. "The cost of our basil and tomatoes and cucumbers is 20 to 30 percent higher compared to before the pandemic. Primarily, it's the cost of young plants that has gone up a lot." Tomato prices fluctuated somewhat before the vacation season, while the price of cucumbers was stable for a relatively long time, Neber said. The farmer had to reduce the production of lamb's lettuce because he could not cover the costs of hand harvesting with the income. In this regard, he emphasizes that all twelve employees have social security and have been working on his farm for at least three-quarters of a year. "We have survived the crisis because our clientele is willing to pay more for good, high-quality products, such as our Naschi tomatoes."
Naschi tomatoes from the Neber company
The company's main customers include entrepreneur-owned retail stores and weekly market businesses. Aside from the Corona season, the current vacation season is associated with an "extreme slump" in sales, he said. The first half of the year, however, has been satisfactory for his business, he said. "Compared to the pre-pandemic period, we were able to maintain our sales well. However, this is also related to the fact that we offer products that stand out from the general public, as we focus on high-end qualities." Neber is on the lookout for a successor to the business.
For more information:
Friedrich Neber
Neber-Gemüse
Frühlingsweg 67
3663 Berglen
Tel.: +49 7181-257386
[email protected]