For decades, Früchte Widmann has had a reputation as a wholesaler of berries and mushrooms. What many people do not know is that since 2007, the company has also been intensively growing its own blueberries. In addition to the production site in Bavaria, the company has cultivation areas in Romania, Chile, and South Africa, among other places. In the future, Früchte Widmann plans to invest even more in its cultivation and expand it.
Früchte Widmann has already had its own cultivation in Romania for 15 years under the name "Vitalberry" for the season from June to September. The total cultivation area of 100 hectares is spread over several locations to ensure maximum quality and availability of blueberries. With appropriate early harvesting measures, harvesting can start earlier here and be extended to other locations. A wide range of varieties are sourced from Romania. The produce is sorted and packaged in ultramodern packaging facilities directly at the production site.
FRÜCHTE WIDMANN IS THE LARGEST PRODUCER OF BLUEBERRIES IN BAVARIA. FURTHER EXPANSION INTO THE REGION IS ALREADY BEING PLANNED.
Hans Widmann, managing director of Früchte Widmann
JOURNEY ACROSS THE OCEAN
In Chile , blueberries of selected varieties are cultivated from December to March. The total 580 hectares of cultivated area are located in various regions along the country's north-south axis. Immediately after harvesting, the fruits are shipped to Europe and finally sorted, packed and delivered near Hanover at the Nordgemüse Packing Center branch. In the past five years alone, Früchte Widmann has imported and marketed about 8,800 tons of blueberries from Chilean crops.
BACK TO BASICS
In Inchenhofen, northwest of Munich, Früchte Widmann has been running its own blueberries plantation since 2017. It has been continuously expanded in recent years and currently has a cultivation area of 60 hectares. In the season from July to September, so-called "Pfundsbeeren" grow there. The fruits are sorted and packed fresh every day directly in the production area. Today Früchte Widmann is the largest producer of blueberries in Bavaria, and further expansion in the region is already being planned.
SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE
A new addition is the cultivation of blueberries in South Africa for the September to January season. Früchte Widmann has been working there since 2021 under the name "Saronsberries." It started with a cultivation area of 45 hectares, which will be expanded to 200 hectares by 2024. The bulk products are sorted and packed after being shipped from Nordgemüse.
FROM AUSTRIA BUT NOT ONLY
Starting this year, Früchte Widmann also has its own cultivation in Styria, Austria. Initially blackberries and raspberries, blueberries and strawberries will be added by 2024. More cultivation projects are planned in the near future. Morocco and Namibia are in the starting blocks. In addition, a plantation for varietal trials will be established on about 10 hectares insouthern Europe. Here, modern and sustainable varieties, especially for the company's cultivation projects, will be tested and further developed together with variety breeders.
Photo: Hans Widmann, CEO of Früchte Widmann
Source: Fruchthandel
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