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ePaper created 2012-06-20, 16:30:05 | version 1.23.6
Title Issue One 2009 9 The fruit and veg- etables have to be handled quickly. »We import fruit and vegetables from all over the world. But here we’re in a world of our own.« Heinrich Hodorff, managing director of Fruchtimport und Großhandel Hodorff T he lettering under the curvy roof which reaches up into the night sky is brightly illuminated. Work is well underway in Hamburg’s wholesale market. By 11 p.m. the traders are all ready at their stands as increasing numbers of trucks arrive. While out in the city the population falls asleep, here a self-contained world of its own comes alive. Neon lamps shed light on the selling and purchasing, bargaining and joking. West zone, sales stand 46/103 – this is Heinrich Hodorff’s realm. Six days a week he’s to be found here at his fruit and vegetable stand on the whole- sale market, from 11 p.m. to 3 p.m. next day. “Four hours sleep’s enough for me. It’s always been like that”, says the 57-year old trader. 22 years ago he and his wife Margrit set up their fruit import and wholesale business and have been joined in the meantime by their two sons. As a child, Hodorff used to come to the wholesale market with his fa- ther who was a grocer. He continues the family’s trading tradition in the fifth generation. Many of the sales businesses here boast established family structures of this kind. Next to the fruit and vegetable building there’s another one for flowers. Around 50,000 m² of trad- ing area makes Hamburg’s wholesale market the largest in the country. With railway siding, motor- way and port nearby. Every year around 685,000 tons of fruit and vegetables change hands here at a value of €750 million, with flowers for another €100 million. The market supplies not only North Germany and Denmark: produce purchased here also goes to North, Central and East Europe. It’s only possible to make vague guesses of the destinations, here in the midst of the importers, wholesalers and those who come to sell their own wares, surrounded by high piles of crates and box- es. Vegetables, fruit, mushrooms, herbs, eggs and flowers are closely packed and stacked on pallets. Forklifts and electric trolleys buzz through the aisles. Hodorff’s stand is brightly coloured with green apples and yellow pears next to plump grapes and shiny tomatoes, let alone all the crates with cau- liflower and beans. He also offers exotic fruits such as pitayas, mangos, avocados and kumquats. “We import fruit from all over the world”, he says, “fresh every day.” That means no more than 36 hours old. Hodorff regularly visits his suppliers to ensure that the imports fulfil his quality standards. Five to six times a year he sets off on a world trip. Global business Impressive trading area Photos:Gielen