The marketing of German potted herbs is currently running on a fairly quiet course. "It's very quiet at the moment," says Helmut Beiermeister, who offers his self-produced goods at the Stuttgart wholesale market. "Prices are not where they should be in view of the sharp rise in production costs, while yields of the main crops have been quite satisfactory throughout the year."
Beiermeister produces potted herbs and young vegetable plants all year round on about 3.5 ha of glass area and additional tunnel areas. In total, about 70 varieties grow and thrive in the Ditzingen plant, including not only the usual market varieties of basil, chives, mint, and parsley but also unusual items such as apple and banana mint, colorful sage, and Aztec sweet herbs. "During the pandemic, we were able to achieve very high sales; in the meantime, sales have returned to the pre-Corona level. Seasonal sales peaks traditionally occur from March to the end of June, when a lot is planted in the gardens. Potted herbs are also well received in the run-up to Christmas. The increase in demand is not as pronounced as it was until a few years ago."
Helmut Beiermeister at the FreshPlaza.de wholesale market visit in summer 2023.
Through the local wholesale market in Stuttgart, Beiermeister serves a mixed clientele consisting of horticultural businesses, garden centers, and farm shops within a radius of about 70 km. As in many other areas of the vegetable sector, the issue of sustainability is also becoming more and more critical for potted herbs, observes the producer. "Most of the packaging is still plastic. In the new year, we will switch to paper bags or at least see which herbs can actually be converted. We have to decide this from crop to crop."
Insight into the protected potted herb cultivation in Ditzingen.
Generation change is imminent
Overall, Beiermeister is mostly positive about the future. "In the meantime, all three of my sons are working in the company, which is why the future of the business is secure. Due to this, we also made investments in 2016 and expanded our cultivation capacity," it concludes.
Images: H. Beiermeister Gärtnerei
For more information:
Helmut Beiermeister
Gärtnerei H. Beiermeister
Großmarkt Stuttgart
Tel.: +49 7156 34882
[email protected]