Tyrolean company Darbo

Extreme weather makes procurement more uncertain

The Darbo family started their business in 1879 - the site in Stans now 145 years later.(Bild: Darbo)

The traditional family business Darbo from Stans in the Tyrolean lowlands talks about the unpredictability of fruit purchasing, new EU regulations and the labor market.

With four locations in Tyrol, the 400-employee company Darbo specializes in high-quality jam, honey and syrup. It supplies retail chains, hotels, large bakeries, dairies, cruise operators and airlines in 60 countries.

Fluctuations also expected in the future
The basis is high-quality raw materials. Procuring these is proving to be an increasing challenge. "The last few years have been characterized by very strong volatility - not only for fruit and sugar, but also for energy and packaging materials. We assume that the pronounced fluctuations due to climatic changes will continue," says Klaus Darbo.

We assume that the pronounced fluctuations due to climatic changes will continue.

Klaus Darbo

Fruit from many countries
The majority of the fruit comes from Europe. Apricots, for example, come from Hungary and Italy, strawberries from Poland, lingonberries from Sweden and Finland, oranges from Spain. In general, the company relies on long-standing, proven partners, but weather extremes are a challenge. "We therefore try to stock up as much as possible in good years," says Darbo.

Will prices rise? This can only be judged after the harvests in summer, says the parade entrepreneur. In any case, the Tyrolean family business does not want to "compromise on quality".

(Bild: Kronen Zeitung)

New EU rules, especially for labeling
Darbo will soon also be confronted with the so-called EU "Breakfast Directive". For honey, for example, the country of origin must be stated. "We even state the partner beekeeper for honeys in 500 gram jars," says Darbo, taking a relaxed view of this regulation. However, the exact percentages must be stated for honeys from several countries. "We are currently looking into how we can implement this," says Darbo, adding that any additional costs can only then be assessed.

Fruit content must increase
Furthermore, the fruit content per kilo of jam must be 200 grams and 450 grams per kilo of jam. This is more of a change for the competition than for the domestic market leader: "Because we already had a higher fruit content than required - up to 800 grams per kilo," explains Darbo.

The rampant labor shortage is less of a headache than in some other sectors: "We are currently able to fill vacancies well. Our industry is considered to be extremely crisis-proof and applicants obviously attach great importance to this."