Germany’s largest food retailer promotes most senior fresh produce executive to board of Edeka Zentrale
One of Germany’s most senior fresh produce buyers has been handed a place on the board of Edeka Zentrale, the company that coordinates commercial activies on behalf of the Edeka retail cooperative.
Mario Slunitschek, who has worked for Germany’s largest food retailer for more than a decade – most recently as senior vice-president of sourcing arm Edeka Fruchtkontor, takes on responsibility for the group’s proprietary business department.
In the new role, he will oversee the development of Edeka’s national and international fruit and vegetable business, as well as its own brands, and quality management.
Most recently, Slunitschek has carried out a number of different roles for the group. Alongside his management of Edeka Fruchtkontor, which acquired Dutch company Everest Fresh in 2024, he has also led the development of Edeka Private Label and Edeka Import.
In a statement, the group welcomed Slunitschek to the board of Edeka Zentrale Stiftung & Co. “Mario Slunitschek has been working for Edeka since 2014 and has developed Edeka Fruchtkontor and Everest Fresh into one of Europe’s leading fruit and vegetable companies,” it said.
“Since August 2024, [he] has also been responsible for the own brands and the non-food sector. With the introduction of the own brand Edeka Herzstücke, he has created a central strategic basis for the further differentiation and strengthening of the own brand portfolio.”
Uwe Kohler, chairman of the board of trustees and board of directors, added his own note of welcome and wished him success in the new role.
“With Mario Slunitschek, we will continue to increase our speed and effectiveness on key future issues,” he commented. “He has successfully developed important business areas in recent years and combines operational experience with a clear view of purchasing, own brands, and international markets.”
