»The Germans are important to us in every respect. It’s a market with more than 80 million consumers who eat plenty of vegetables. Besides, German traders are reliable.«
Xavier, vegetable grower in the Province of Almería, Deutschlandradio Kultur
Food retailers appreciate the improvements their business partners have achieved over recent years. Our regular certification in accordance with IFS Broker proves that La Comba strongly invests in quality control, product safety and quality management. Traders reward the importers’ reliability in supplying tasty fruit and vegetables by showing their appreciation and loyalty.
Supported by La Comba, these companies treat consumers to high-quality foodstuffs that deserve respect at all levels of handling. After all, we are talking here about nourishing food to satisfy vital needs and add a sensual enrichment to everyday life. It’s also about attractive and successful food stores for consumers who like the look of crisp lettuce or courgettes or whose appetite for cherries and plums is triggered.
»Quality means that it’s the customer who returns, not the commodity.«
Hermann Tietz, German trader (1837–1907)
La Comba organises the procurement of horticultural produce from Spain on behalf of retail chains, and is also highly committed to small customers. »Each customer is a special customer to us«, Managing Director Marc Lucena points out.
Marc Lucena’s father Juan Lucena adds that La Comba cultivates customised business relationships and meets customers‹ specifications without hassle: »Even if, on any particular occasion, a customer orders only a single pallet, we are happy to accommodate the request!«
»Quality is never an accident. It is always the result of intelligent effort.«
John Ruskin, British art historian (1819–1900)
Our team members dedicate all their skills and effort to ensure the reliable supply of apricots, clementines and other delicacies from the Iberian Peninsula. To safeguard the quality of services, our members of staff update their knowledge and refine their talents on a regular basis. Our qualified agronomist pulls all the strings in quality assurance.
At La Comba, we get a lot of energy from our Spanish roots, but we have also developed a sure feel for the German mentality. Why don’t you have a look and see for yourself which level of expertise, energy and spirit your fruit wholesale experts have to offer?
»Can we ever have too much of a good thing?«
Miguel de Cervantes, national poet of Spain (1547–1616)
In the winter of 2016, consumers savoured more of our tomatoes from Spain than ever. The craving for iceberg lettuce has had no limits for some time now. Kohlrabi is another vegetable fans of good cuisine have favoured over the past four years. The popularity of stonefruit has been increasing for years now, too.
At La Comba, we know all about how to deal with large shipments and seasonal fluctuations. That’s why both our customers and consumers can rely on a full supply of water melons to refresh their hot summer days, and later on in the year citrus fruits by the ton to generate that lovely scent of Christmas. Less widespread items such as medlars and figs are also available on request.
»Spain is utter heaven.«
Sylvia Plath, American poet (1932–1963): »Letters home. Correspondence 1950–1963«
Spanish producers excel in expertise they have obtained in horticulture over generations. Their professionalism has reached a remarkable level. Public debate on sustainability and related issues have influenced the fruit and vegetable farmers. Well networked, they have shaped the industry’s progressive evolution and adapted state-of-the-art solutions to meet the challenges of the future.
Our suppliers‹ Spanish temperament and serenity make dealing with them easy, especially when they share their spirit of vitality with La Comba’s staff. Being familiar with their customs and ideas about work, salutation, food, family and religion also helps La Comba to build good relationships. The fact that Germans have loved the Spanish sun and holidays on Majorca for decades is another advantage La Comba enjoys with its Spanish partners.
»Who could be sad
looking at the smiling oranges,
gloomy at the scent
of their delicate sweetness.«
Giovanni Della Casa, Italian archbishop (1503–1556)
After the post-War period, which was full of deprivation, Germans developed a real craving for Spanish oranges. Fruit and vegetable exports from Spain started to move into full swing in 1986 when the country joined the then European Economic Community (EEC).
When La Comba was founded in 1994, the German fondness for Spanish horticultural produce continued. Back then, broccoli, iceberg lettuce and, above all, clementines and oranges were the basic items Cologne-based importers La Comba made available. Today, La Comba’s range includes any kind of produce from classic fruit like pears and lemons and popular vegetables like sweet pepper and onions to more exotic fruit like avocados and Sharon fruit.