News channel

dr Gehlen becomes Managing Director at Stockmeyer from November

From mid-November, Dr. Karl Horst Gehlen at the Stockmeyer Group as managing director of the meat processing division. For the Füchtorf plant, for Riedl and for Balcerzak (Poland), he is responsible in particular for the areas of production, technology and purchasing. dr Gehlen studied and received his doctorate at the University of Hohenheim in the field of food technology and worked in various areas of Nestle AG. Last was Dr. Karl Horst Gehlen Director of Production and Technology at Herta GmbH.

Read more

Pork favourites: schnitzel and steaks

Roast and minced meat are favorites in the cold season

Schnitzel and steaks are at the top of the hit list of the most popular cuts of pork among German consumers: in 2003 they accounted for 15 percent of the total purchasing volume of private households in Germany of 726.500 tons. Schnitzel and steaks owe first place to their suitability for grilling, because they are bought more often than average, especially in the warmer season from April to August.

In the cold season, on the other hand, local consumers buy minced meat and roast meat more frequently. These cuts of pork rank second and third, accounting for 13 and XNUMX percent of total purchases, respectively. Pork chops, in fourth place, are popular purchases year-round, but interest is slightly higher during barbecue season. Kasseler accounts for seven percent of pork purchases and is clearly a section for hearty meals in winter. In the summer months, the cured and smoked pork attracts significantly less interest.

Read more

The slaughter pig market in September

Price pressure from mid-month

The slaughter pig market in September was characterized by an increasing supply of live pigs on the one hand and a significantly weaker demand for meat on the other. By the middle of the month, the prices for slaughter pigs were able to stabilize slightly, in the second half of September prices then came under pressure and fell by seven cents per kilogram.

Nevertheless, the providers received a monthly average of 1,56 euros per kilogram slaughter weight for animals in trade classes E to P, four cents more than in August and 17 cents more than in the same month of the previous year. For pigs in meat trading class E, fatteners also received an average of 1,61 euros per kilogram, four cents more than in August and 17 cents more than twelve months ago.

Read more

The slaughter lamb market in September

The offer was barely enough

The supply of lambs for slaughter in September was only just sufficient for the average demand. The local providers have therefore achieved a little more for their animals since the beginning of the month. For lambs billed at a flat rate, buyers paid a monthly average of 3,52 euros per kilogram of slaughter weight, 30 cents more than in August; the previous year's line was nevertheless undershot by 16 cents.

In September, the mail-order slaughterhouses and meat product factories that are obliged to report invoiced an average of 1.700 lambs and sheep per week nationwide, either as a flat rate or according to trade grades; that was almost 14 percent more than in the previous month and a good fifth more than twelve months ago.

Read more

Nordfleisch headquarters relocated

Divided into Düsseldorf and Bad Bramstedt

After the takeover of the majority of the share capital of CG Nordfleisch AG by the Bestmeat Food Group, the associated restructuring measures take effect. Essential functions of the Nordfleisch headquarters will be relocated from October 25, 2004.

The staff functions of the Bestmeat Food Group are performed by Bestmeat Service GmbH in Düsseldorf. The headquarters of the previous NFZ Norddeutsche Fleischzentrale GmbH and CG Nordfleisch AG with their administrative functions will be in Bad Bramstedt.

Read more

Stockmeyer is aiming for a billion

Broad positioning supports positive group result

Group sales of over €900 million / Group strategy compatible with the division of the market / Earnings and equity development positive / Group restructuring largely completed

In the consolidated financial statements for the past fiscal year 2003, the calendar and fiscal years are identical for the first time. Group sales rose to €931 million during this period, which is largely due to the broad positioning of the family business, the strategy pursued, but also to the consistently satisfactory results of the operating companies.

Read more

The slaughter cattle market in November

Fixed prices for young bulls and calves

Steady demand is expected on the meat markets in November. However, interest in buying is likely to focus on the comparatively cheaper sections. With a view to the public holidays in December, an additional need for premium parts in the context of preparatory purchases is expected towards the end of the month, at least for beef. The range of young bulls and calves is not expected to be all that extensive, prices should be stable to firm. On the other hand, cows for slaughter are likely to be more readily available, so that price reductions are likely. Domestically produced slaughter pigs may be slightly less available, as suggested by the results of the last livestock census. Nevertheless, price weaknesses compared to October can easily be ruled out, but no significant changes are to be expected. Needs-based offer for young bulls

The local bull farmers can hope for stable to fixed payout prices for young bulls in the coming weeks. The offer is not too extensive and should be easily accommodated by the slaughterhouses, especially since the first preparatory purchases for the upcoming Christmas festival can be expected in November. However, an element of uncertainty for the further development of the supply of young bulls is still the reform of agricultural policy. It is conceivable that the fatteners will bring more young bulls to slaughter in the current year in order to enjoy the slaughter premium one last time. However, there will be a transitional regulation in the area of ​​the special premium for bulls: Male cattle that are entitled to a premium until the end of the year can probably still be slaughtered with a slaughter premium in the first two months of next year in Germany. The EU Commission expects this measure to equalize the supply in order to avoid price slumps for slaughter cattle at the end of the year. According to preliminary estimates, the young bull prices for R3 qualities in November could be around EUR 2,70 per kilogram slaughter weight. This means that the previous year's level would still be significantly exceeded, namely by around 40 cents.

Read more

16th international outlet food

Over 300 guests celebrate for a good cause - proceeds go to regional projects

The 2004 socket dinner was a huge success with a great atmosphere. More than 300 guests came to the festival barn of the Hesse restaurant to celebrate where the event had its origins. The socket fans remained true to the motto of doing good and having a lot of fun with like-minded people. Donations were handed over to three organizations during the benefit event. Total proceeds of over €8.000 are expected.

The traditional "tasting of the nose" formed the prelude. A rich cold and warm buffet was then opened by District Administrator Sven-Georg Adenauer. The club, which had been recognized as a non-profit association for a number of years, returned to its roots. The idea was born in Rietberg-Varensell to dine together and donate the proceeds to charity. When the foundation stone was laid in 1988, it was on a beer whim. In the meantime, the association is not only established in the meat industry and can count on almost 200 members. Many of them are as active as they are creative when it comes to campaigns related to the promotion of child and youth welfare projects.

Read more

FRoSTA AG turns things around

"FRoSTA Purity Law" prevails - interim report on business development from 1.1. - 30.9. 2004

In the first nine months of 2004, FRoSTA AG was able to increase sales by 6,3% and sales by 1,2% compared to the previous year. The result from ordinary activities (earnings before taxes) is now positive again at €8,7 million. A loss of €6,4 million was reported in the previous year.

The FRoSTA brand ready-to-eat meals, which were introduced at the beginning of 2003 under the "FRoSTA Purity Law" (all products free of added colorings and flavorings), have caught on with consumers after initial difficulties. This and the successful expansion of private label business as well as cost savings as a result of restructuring measures are the main reasons for the turnaround in earnings.

Read more

Fleischer President sees positive stabilized sales development for the butcher trade

Positive signal after difficult years - review before the association day

Poor mood in the country depresses the business climate - first half of 2004 again with a slight plus - decline in sales slowed down - companies are back in the black - price increases in the counter necessary - criticism of the change in the craft regulations

For Fleischer President Manfred Rycken, the general mood in Germany is dreadful: Germany is whining. Unfortunately, it is often enough that the gloomy mood causes many of the problems that one complains about. Reluctance to buy, bargain hunting and - in contrast to expressions of opinion - the neglect of quality are often not the result of crises, but rather the trigger.

Read more

Shelf life of chilled food in focus

Results of the self-service fresh meat inspection - raw material quality Main cause for defects - potential for improvement in protective gases

Chilled food is very trendy. These fresh, chilled foods are increasingly sought after by consumers because of the freshness implied. Many manufacturers and retailers are focusing on this growth segment with new product concepts. Germany is catching up on what has been established in England and France for a long time. For the first time in its history, more chilled than frozen products were tested this year at the international DLG quality competition for convenience products. With 337 samples, the “Case Ready” offering, which includes ready-portioned, packaged and unseasoned fresh meat, experienced an increase of around 50% compared to the previous year. The field of self-service packaged fresh meat has currently experienced a huge boost in Germany, not least due to the increase in listings in food retail. The advantages of this segment can be seen in the longer shelf life, convenience for the consumer, reduced microbial risks and the possibility of branding fresh meat. In addition, there are cost advantages in production and optimization potential in logistics.

In addition to product quality, critical success factors in the chilled food segment are reliable, consistent compliance with the cold chain and the quality of the packaging. Because the latter serves not only as an information medium and as an easy-to-handle, attractively designed transport container for the consumer. It must also offer adequate product protection and encourage the longest possible sell-by date. As part of the DLG quality competition for unseasoned self-service fresh meat, the packaging is also assessed as standard and - if the products are not vacuum-packed but packaged in a modified atmosphere - the composition of the modified atmosphere is determined. dr Wolf-Dietrich Müller, Federal Research Institute for Nutrition and Food, Kulmbach site, is DLG test group leader for fresh meat. Together with the project manager of the DLG quality competition for convenience products, Bianca Schneider, he summarized the evaluations from 2003 and 2004.

Read more