Frutura the integrated service provider of Spar Group

Frutura Kompetenzzentrum is the preferred provider, producer and manufacturer of fresh fruit and vegetables for Spar Group in Austria, Croatia and Italy. The company runs 2 distribution centers in Hartl at the head office and in Vorchdorf, Northern Austria. The group employs more than 900 workers in 5 locations, including production centers of greenhouse and fruit orchards. Frutura grows 26ha of glasshouse tomato pepper and cucumbers in Blumau, exclusively heated by thermal energy.  

All kinds of assortment

Frutura handles the procurement and logistics for all kinds of assortment, from coconuts to potatoes. Spar selects first the supplier and negotiates the annual program. “We coordinate the supply of Spar order, manage the whole process and the Spar Depots” explains Friedrich Haupl, head of procurement at Frutura. “We manage more then 500 suppliers, 90% of them being growers”. Avocados and mangoes are the fastest growing varieties at Spar Austria, 100% of them being sold ripen. Berries and fresh cuts are also still growing, especially raspberries and blueberries.

Spar labels make 75% of the sales

7 Spar labels are being applied to the fruit and vegetables category. Standard “Spar” has the higher share, followed by Spar Naturpur for organics, S-Budget for the low cost label, Spar Premium for the highest quality items (Extra category), Despar for the Italian products and Spar Vital for the most healthy line of fresh and frozen varieties, mainly berries and mushrooms.

25% of organics and 100% “Bee Wild”

Fresh fruit and vegetables are the food category with the highest share of organic sales, about 25% today. “It is still our fastest growing brand” informed Friedrich. “Bee Wild” is the main sustainability program conducted by Spar Austra for fresh produce, focusing on biodiversity. Before called “Bee and Apple” project, it has been the first project to enter into partnership with the European Commission within the Green Deal policy.

For more information about Spar supply organisation, you can click here.