FAQs

How do I place a wholesale produce order?

You can order via three convenient methods: WhatsApp for fastest response (30-minute average), email to orders@istanbulfruitandveg.com for detailed specifications, or phone for immediate availability confirmation. Send your product list with quantities, delivery date, and contact details. We confirm orders within 2 hours during business hours.

What is the minimum order value for wholesale delivery?

Standard next-day delivery requires a 50 GBP minimum order. There is no minimum for same-day emergency orders (premium delivery fee applies). Regular scheduled customers may qualify for lower minimums. Volume discounts available for orders over 500 GBP.

How do I set up a trade account for wholesale ordering?

Contact us with your business name, type of establishment, delivery address, and approximate order frequency. We set up your wholesale trade account within 24 hours. You receive a customer account number, current price list, and delivery schedule options. First-time customers can order immediately while account is being set up.

Can I get credit terms for my wholesale account?

Yes, trade credit accounts are available for approved business customers. After your first 3-5 orders establishing a payment history, you can apply for credit terms ranging from 7 to 30 days depending on your business profile and order volume. Credit checks are required for account approval.

Do you offer standing orders for regular customers?

Yes, standing orders are popular with regular wholesale customers. Set up weekly or bi-weekly recurring deliveries with the same products automatically. Benefits include guaranteed delivery slots, consistent pricing, priority allocation during high-demand seasons, and reduced ordering administration time.

Can I modify or cancel my wholesale order?

Order modifications (adding or removing items) accepted up to 12 hours before delivery, subject to product availability. Free cancellation is available 24+ hours before scheduled delivery. Cancellations 12-24 hours before incur a 50% charge. Cancellations less than 12 hours before delivery are charged in full. Emergency situations reviewed case-by-case.

Which countries do you deliver wholesale produce to?

We deliver across six European countries: United Kingdom, Netherlands, France, Belgium, Poland, and Spain. Coverage includes major cities and regional areas in each country. Daily deliveries to capital cities and major metropolitan areas. Weekly or bi-weekly scheduled service to regional locations. Cross-border logistics and customs documentation handled by our team.

What are your delivery zones and charges?

Zone 1 (Major city centers): Free delivery on orders over 150 GBP, otherwise 12 GBP delivery fee. Zone 2 (Regional areas): Free delivery on orders over 200 GBP, otherwise 18 GBP delivery fee. Zone 3 (Extended coverage): Free delivery on orders over 300 GBP, otherwise 25 GBP delivery fee. Same-day emergency delivery: 25-35 GBP premium fee with no minimum order requirement.

Do you offer same-day delivery for wholesale orders?

Yes, same-day emergency delivery is available for orders placed before 10:00 AM in Zone 1 major city centers. Perfect for urgent restaurant requirements when you run out of essential ingredients. No minimum order value. Premium delivery fee applies (25-35 GBP). Subject to product availability and delivery capacity.

What time slots are available for delivery?

Early morning (6:00-10:00 AM) ideal for restaurants preparing for lunch service. Midday (10:00 AM-2:00 PM) suitable for hotels and catering operations. Afternoon (2:00-6:00 PM) works for cafes and evening prep. Evening (6:00-10:00 PM) available by arrangement for late-night restaurants in Zone 1 only.

How do you maintain cold chain during delivery?

All deliveries use temperature-controlled refrigerated vehicles maintaining 0-5°C throughout transport. GPS tracking and real-time temperature monitoring on every vehicle. Insulated packaging for extended cross-border routes. Automated temperature logging and alert systems. Complete cold chain documentation available on request. Food safety compliance guaranteed.

Can you deliver to multiple locations for my business?

Yes, we can deliver to multiple addresses for larger accounts such as restaurant groups, hotel chains, and catering companies with multiple kitchen locations. Each location can have different delivery schedules and product requirements. Centralized billing and account management available. Contact your account manager to set up multi-location delivery.

What quality grade produce do you supply?

We supply both Class I (Extra/Premium) and Class II (Standard) grades according to EU quality standards. Class I offers superior quality with no defects, uniform size and color – perfect for fine dining and presentation dishes. Class II provides good quality with minor imperfections acceptable – ideal for cooking and high-volume operations. Unless specified, we supply Class I for presentation items and Class II for cooking vegetables.

How do you ensure freshness of wholesale produce?

Three-stage quality inspection system: receiving inspection checking for damage and temperature, storage management with FIFO rotation and hourly monitoring, and pre-dispatch inspection before packing. Temperature-controlled storage at 0-5°C monitored 24/7. Daily stock condition checks. Products stored at optimal humidity levels. Refrigerated delivery vehicles maintain cold chain integrity.

What if I receive poor quality produce?

Contact us within 24 hours with photo evidence of any quality concerns. We arrange immediate replacement delivery or provide full credit to your account. No return shipping required for defective items. Our 100% satisfaction guarantee means your business is protected. We track all quality complaints to identify patterns and improve supplier performance.

Do you supply organic produce?

Yes, we offer a comprehensive range of certified organic fruits and vegetables from Soil Association and EU certified suppliers. All organic items are clearly labeled with certification details. Stored separately from conventional produce to prevent cross-contamination. Full organic traceability documentation available. Organic pricing typically 10-20% premium over conventional items.

Can you source specific products not in your standard range?

Absolutely. Our custom sourcing service can find specific varieties, specialty ingredients, and rare items through our global supplier network. Custom wholesale orders typically available within 2-3 days depending on product origin and availability. Examples include heritage vegetable varieties, specific country-of-origin requirements, unusual sizes or grades, and large volumes for special events.

What food safety certifications do you have?

We maintain HACCP certification for systematic food safety management, BRC Global Standard compliance, Food Standards Agency registration, and regular third-party audits. Full compliance with EU and UK food safety regulations. Complete traceability from farm to delivery. All suppliers audited for food safety compliance. Temperature monitoring and documentation throughout storage and transport.

How do your wholesale prices compare to market rates?

We offer competitive wholesale pricing that matches or beats major wholesale market rates. Volume discounts available for regular customers and large orders. Our prices reflect quality grade, seasonal availability, and current market conditions. Price list updated weekly based on market fluctuations. High-volume accounts benefit from negotiated pricing agreements.

Do your wholesale prices change frequently?

Wholesale produce prices fluctuate based on seasonality, weather conditions, and market supply and demand. We update our price list weekly and notify regular customers of significant changes. Standing order customers can opt for fixed pricing contracts for budget certainty. British seasonal produce typically offers better value when in season.

What payment methods do you accept?

Bank transfer is the preferred method for trade customers with invoice sent on delivery and payment terms 7-30 days. Credit and debit cards accepted for phone orders and one-time purchases. Cash on delivery available in selected areas for new customers. Trade credit accounts available after establishing payment history with credit checks required.

Can I get a wholesale price list?

Yes, contact us to receive our current wholesale price list. Prices vary by product, grade, and seasonal availability. Price list updated weekly reflecting market conditions. Volume pricing and contract rates available for high-value accounts. First-time customers receive price list immediately upon account setup.

Are there volume discounts for large orders?

Yes, volume discounts apply to orders over 500 GBP with increasing discount tiers for higher values. Regular high-volume customers benefit from preferential pricing structures. Pallet orders receive competitive bulk transport rates. Annual contract customers can negotiate fixed pricing for budget planning. Contact our sales team to discuss volume pricing for your requirements.

What are your payment terms for trade accounts?

New customers typically start with payment on delivery or 7-day terms. Established customers with good payment history qualify for 14-day terms. High-volume accounts can receive 30-day payment terms after credit approval. Monthly account statements provided. Late payment fees apply to overdue invoices. Credit limits assigned based on business assessment.

Who do you supply wholesale produce to?

We supply restaurants and fine dining establishments, hotels and hospitality operations, catering companies and event services, cafes and coffee shops, corporate and institutional food service, and food retailers and market traders. Operating across UK, Netherlands, France, Belgium, Poland, and Spain. Serving all business sizes from independent cafes to major hotel chains.

What are your business hours for wholesale ordering?

Monday to Friday: 4:00 AM – 6:00 PM for phone orders and customer support. Saturday: 4:00 AM – 2:00 PM for orders and deliveries. Sunday: Closed, but emergency WhatsApp available for Monday orders. Order confirmation emails processed 24/7. Online ordering system accessible anytime. Delivery schedules vary by zone and day.

Do you have a physical location I can visit?

We operate from our temperature-controlled warehouse facility primarily serving B2B wholesale customers. While we focus on delivery service, visits can be arranged by appointment for business customers wanting to inspect facilities or view products. Contact us to schedule a visit. Most ordering handled remotely via phone, email, or WhatsApp for convenience.

Can small independent businesses order from you?

Absolutely. We welcome small businesses including independent cafes, small restaurants, and market traders. Our 50 GBP minimum order makes wholesale accessible to smaller operations. Right-sized packaging prevents waste for small kitchens. Frequent delivery options (2-3 times weekly) keep stock fresh. No pressure to over-order. Same professional service regardless of order size.

What makes your wholesale service different from others?

We differentiate through consistent quality with three-stage inspection system, reliable temperature-controlled delivery across six European countries, flexible service scaling from small cafes to large hotel chains, industry expertise understanding restaurant, hotel, and catering requirements, competitive wholesale pricing with volume discounts, complete food safety compliance and traceability, and 24-hour quality guarantee with immediate replacement or credit.

How can I contact customer support?

Phone our main line during business hours (Monday-Friday 4 AM-6 PM, Saturday 4 AM-2 PM). Email orders@istanbulfruitandveg.com for order inquiries monitored throughout the day. WhatsApp for fastest response especially for urgent matters. Your dedicated account manager (for regular customers) via direct phone and email. Emergency line available for critical delivery issues. Response time typically within 2 hours during business hours.

Do you supply prepared or pre-cut produce?

Yes, we offer prepared produce services including peeled and diced vegetables (onions, butternut squash, carrots), chopped and sliced items (peppers, courgettes), ready-washed salad leaves, segmented citrus fruits, diced melon and fruit salad mixes, and spiralized vegetables. Preparation services save kitchen labor time. Custom cuts available on request. Minimum quantities apply for prepared items. Slightly higher pricing than whole produce.

What sustainability practices do you follow?

Environmental responsibility initiatives include route optimization reducing unnecessary mileage, fuel-efficient refrigerated vehicle fleet, consolidated deliveries reducing individual trips, reusable packaging and container programs, support for sustainable farming practices, carbon offset programs for long-distance transport, and partnership with farms using environmentally responsible growing methods. We balance sustainability with maintaining food safety and quality standards.

Can you provide allergen information for products?

Yes, full allergen information available for all products. Our facility is nut-free (no tree nuts or peanuts handled). Separate storage for products with allergen concerns. Clear labeling of potential allergen risks on invoices. Complete ingredient specifications for prepared products. Allergen-free production available on request (subject to minimum quantities). Cross-contamination prevention protocols in place.

Do you deliver during holidays and weekends?

Saturday deliveries available in most zones with reduced hours (4 AM-2 PM). Sunday deliveries by special arrangement for major hotels and events only. Bank holiday deliveries scheduled in advance for essential customers. Christmas and New Year period operates modified schedule. We notify customers of holiday schedules in advance. Emergency contact available during closures for critical situations.