"This week, we've received fresh tangerines, oranges, lemons, black and purple eggplants, as well as zucchini. Each bell pepper weighs between 500 to 700 grams. We offer these products almost year-round, except for the hot summer months.
Generally, the prices of many products are higher in December, which is also true for the bell peppers. While Spanish peppers are sold at 11 EUR for 5 kg, the price for the Sicilian giant peppers is 3.30 EUR per kg. However, it's important to emphasize that the flesh of the larger pepper variety is significantly more pronounced," says Angelo Azzarelli, Managing Director of Fratelli Azzarelli & Co. at the Nuremberg Wholesale Market.
Some 95 percent of his goods are sourced from Sicily. The giant peppers are particularly popular among Italian restaurants, and demand is gradually increasing at weekly markets. "It's important to me to sell products that are as untreated as possible, which is why we tend to avoid peppers from other origins. Each week, we receive a pallet of giant peppers containing about 600 to 700 kg."
Despite weather-related conditions, he hasn't noticed any quality losses in other products. The purchase prices have also been very good. "For olive oil, there was very low production, as there was very few rain throughout the Mediterranean area in 2023, which has massively increased the price of olives." On the other hand, he witnessed quality citrus fruit at good prices. "We even already have oranges and lemons from Turkey on the market."
"Most traders haven't necessarily been too positive about the business year that was 2023. Even at the end of the year, what was hoped for could not be achieved. It is still very quiet at the moment. Even supermarkets are buying rather cautiously," says Azzarelli. He described 2023 as "the worst year since I became self-employed ten years ago." At the same time, he wants to import even more products, which will be difficult considering the costs. "From January 8, there may be problems with the supply chains. This is in addition to higher toll, fuel, and other costs. I think it's going to be a very difficult year."
For more information:
Angelo Azzarelli
Fratelli Azzarelli GmbH & Co. KG
Nimrodstr. 25
90441 Nuremberg
Tel.: +4915159059031
Email: fratelli@azzarelli.de
https://www.fratelli-azzarelli.de