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DER FEINSCHMECKER survey confirms trend towards discounters
Where do you buy bread and rolls? On behalf of the gourmet magazine DER FEINSCHMECKER (November issue), the GEWIS Institute in Hamburg surveyed 1018 Germans between the ages of 16 and 65 about their shopping habits. The bakers' guild is not pleased with the results of the survey: only just under one in four Germans buys their baked goods from a traditional baker in the neighborhood.
On the other hand, the sales outlets of large bakeries such as Kamps have the greatest influx, followed by supermarket bakeries and discounters: 42 percent of those surveyed stock up at the branch of a bakery group, 39 percent get bread and rolls from a bakery in the supermarket, 32 percent buy them Discounters like Aldi, Lidl and Penny, and 8 percent get the breakfast ingredients at the gas station. Multiple answers were possible in the survey).
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Domestic supply lower than 2003
A roast goose is traditionally served in this country, especially in the last two months of the year. The offer from Germany and abroad is therefore concentrated at this time. In total, more than six million geese end up in the roasting oven in Germany every year. Domestic goose production is expected to be lower this season than in 2003, but it will only make a small contribution to market supply anyway; in the past few years, around 4.000 tons came from domestic production. The degree of self-sufficiency in Germany with goose meat is almost 13 percent.
Domestic goose production this time is likely to be a good ten percent lower than last year. In any case, the previous hatch numbers, which are decisive for the German supply at the end of the year, have fallen to this extent. However, it cannot be said whether all of the around 1,04 million goslings hatched in Germany by August will also be fattened in Germany.
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Partially increasing demand
In the coming weeks, the demand on the German agricultural markets will be stimulated in some areas by the approaching Christmas holidays. The first preparatory purchases can already be expected, especially for beef and veal. There are also seasonal increases in sales of poultry, eggs and various dairy products. On the other hand, business with potatoes and grain is quiet. Stable to firm prices are emerging for young bulls and calves, poultry, cheese and skimmed milk powder in November. Prices for slaughter cows and pigs are likely to be weak. The requirements for eggs remain at a low level, as do those for potatoes and cereals. Fixed prices for young bulls and calves
The range of young bulls is still not too extensive and has been taken up by the slaughterhouses without a hitch, especially since the first preparatory purchases for Christmas can be expected in November. However, the reform of agricultural policy remains an element of uncertainty. Because it is conceivable that the fatteners will have more young bulls slaughtered in the current year in order to enjoy the slaughter premium one last time. In order to equalize the supply and thus avoid price slumps at the end of the year, there will be a transitional regulation in the area of the special premium for young bulls: It is likely that cattle eligible for the premium can still be slaughtered with the slaughter premium in the first two months of the coming year. The ZMP expects a price level of around 3 euros per kilogram slaughter weight for young bulls of the meat trading class R2,70 in November. That would be around 40 cents more than a year ago.
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The Greens": Opposition irresponsible when dealing with animal meal
Ulrike Höfken, spokeswoman for agricultural and consumer policy, and Friedrich Ostendorff, chairman of the Committee for Consumer Protection, Nutrition and Agriculture, explain the following on the advice in the Consumer Committee on the Foodwatch allegations regarding the whereabouts of large quantities of animal meal:
The allegations made by the organization "Foodwatch" are unfounded and are based on an incorrect evaluation of the statistics. This assessment was shared by all factions in the responsible technical committee after detailed discussion of the allegations. Foodwatch had claimed that there was a lack of clarity about the whereabouts of large quantities of animal meal and that this animal meal could have been used illegally for animal feed. The hearing of the experts from the Federal Consumer Ministry showed that the whereabouts of all animal meal has been proven and that there are no gaps. However, whether there are control deficits in the federal states is still being examined.
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East German companies in a tight budget
In recent years, many sow farmers in Germany have had to give up piglet production: in May 2004 there were only 35.300 sow farmers nationwide, which was twelve percent fewer than in 2003 and almost 45 percent fewer than in 1996. However, the total number of breeding sows in Germany is in the only slightly smaller in recent years. The remaining companies therefore keep more breeding sows. In 1996, an average breeding farm had just under 40 sows in the barn, by 2004 there were already around 71 animals. There are big differences between western and eastern Germany: In the former federal states there are an average of 61 breeding sows in the stalls, in the new federal states there is an average of 261 animals per farm.
Despite progressive structural adjustments, cost-covering piglet production in the new federal states has hardly been possible in recent years: According to surveys by the ZMP, which focus on medium-sized farms, piglets brought an average price of 2002 euros per animal in eastern Germany in the 03/48 marketing year . This revenue was offset by costs of around 35 euros per piglet for feed, energy and veterinarians alone. Added to this were the so-called fixed costs for wages, maintenance and depreciation of around 21 euros per animal. The total expenditure was around 56 euros, so that the East German farms recorded a deficit of over seven euros per piglet in 2002/03.
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CMA extends sponsorship of the German national team
After 1.264 international matches, Stefan Kretzschmar, Volker Zerbe, Christian Schwarzer, Klaus-Dieter Petersen and Marc Dragunski said goodbye to the German national handball team on October 19, 2004. The spectators enjoyed just as many sausages after the last international match of the five athletes in the sold-out Kieler Ostseehalle. The 31:32 defeat against the Swedes almost fell into oblivion over the bratwurst pleasure. The CMA Centrale Marketing-Gesellschaft der Deutschen Agrarwirtschaft mbH, main sponsor of the German national handball team, donated the sausages produced according to the QS system.
QS congratulates successful handball players. The handball heroes of the evening, from left: Stefan Kretzschmar, Christian Schwarzer, Marc Dragunski, Volker Zerbe and Klaus-Dieter Petersen. The CMA, as the main sponsor of the German national handball team, presented the exceptional players with 1.264 QS sausages for a total of 1.264 international matches.
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But more beef imported
German foreign trade in cattle and meat from these animals developed inconsistently in the first half of 2004: according to the Federal Statistical Office, the local live exports of cattle in particular showed strong growth rates. They increased by 40 percent to a good 116.600 animals. In particular, exports of cattle to non-EU countries picked up significantly; the most important customer was Lebanon. Exports of calves also increased noticeably in the first six months of this year, by almost 19 percent to almost 309.000 head. With 173.800 animals alone, 56 percent went to the Netherlands. Germany delivered 53.700 calves or 17 percent to Italy.
The proven imports of calves increased in the reporting period by more than 30 percent compared to the previous year to 112.900 animals. The main supplier is still Poland; with 81.250 calves, almost three quarters of all calves imported into Germany came from there. German imports of cattle are of little importance; they added up to just under 7.600 animals.
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Livestock and Meat
In the third full week of October, the situation in the beef cattle market was stable. The producer prices for young bulls rose slightly in some cases because only a limited number of animals were available. According to a preliminary overview, the producers for young bulls of the meat trading class R3 achieved a weekly average of 2,71 euros per kilogram slaughter weight, one cent more than in the previous week. Producer prices for slaughter cows remained unchanged; Class O3 cows fetched 1,98 euros per kilogram slaughter weight on average in Germany. Beef prices were also around the same level as last week. It was mainly marketed foreleg and processed goods. Exports became more difficult and beef prices fell in some cases. – Producer prices for young bulls are likely to remain stable to firm in the coming week; prices for slaughter cows are expected to remain at the current level. – Hardly anything changed in the producer prices for slaughter calves. The prices for veal, on the other hand, developed differently: on the wholesale market in Berlin, prices fell for the most part, in Hamburg they remained at the previous week's level. – With a sufficient supply of farm calves, prices were only just able to hold their ground or tended to be weaker in some cases.
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"Competition requires a new structure"
Zimbo wants to adapt to the changed market conditions with branch-specific companies. This is the company's response to the fact that, with the enlargement of the EU since May 2004, Eastern European meat and sausage manufacturers in particular have been entering the market with a significantly lower cost structure.
In order to adapt to the intensified competition and to continue the European growth strategy, RZ-zimmermann GmbH & Co. Holding KG realigns itself on January 1.1.2005st, XNUMX. According to the company, this should optimize a large number of processes and implement necessary measures for staff adjustments.
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Initiatives by teachers, parents and students are in demand
Older students in particular no longer feel like taking a lunch from home and prefer to buy something to eat on the go. Some spend the money they took with them on the way to school on sweets, toys, sweets or similar things. When they get hungry during the school morning, they have nothing or no healthy, filling snack with them to replenish their energy stores so that they remain fit and efficient until the end of the lesson. A school kiosk, a snack bar or a cafeteria in the school can improve the catering situation for the students. The prerequisite is that the selection of the food offered is based on a balanced, wholesome diet and offers an alternative to the kiosk on the corner. With a little commitment from students, teachers and parents, one of the following models can be implemented: The caretaker model: In many schools it is common for the caretaker to run a small kiosk. But there is often very little that is healthy and tastes good. Parents, student representatives and the school administration should work together with the caretaker to put together a healthy range of goods. Advantage: In such a group, everyone can contribute their interests and ideas. The professional supplier model: Here certain companies sell a comprehensive range in sales containers in the schoolyard with their own employees. This solution may be practical as the operator organizes and sells everything and knows the regulations of the food control authorities. However, the offer often does not meet the requirements for healthy snacks during breaks. The parent model: At a few schools, committed parents have taken charge of school catering in consultation with the school management and possibly after founding an association. As with all honorary posts, the question arises here: will there be enough volunteers in the long run? The teacher-student model: Here, the primary responsibility is for teachers and students. Of course, such a kiosk involves a lot of work for everyone involved, but it is also a worthwhile journey. For example, home economics courses or classes may rotate whole food breakfasts. The advantage is that the students are involved and have a say in what is on offer.
With all models, it makes sense for the students to actively participate in the organization and implementation. Many practical examples at schools make it clear: if you want to improve the breakfast situation at your school, you can do it. Sweeping statements that “the school situation doesn’t allow us to offer a healthy breakfast every day” are simply prejudices. Start with small steps, for example as part of a project week or a school festival. After that you can take care of the expansion of the project and find allies among students, teachers and parents. And when everything is going well, regular activities prevent any signs of fatigue.
