Greek fruit exports: Good tidings for Strawberry Season – Orange and Tangerine Recovery

The strawberry harvest has started in the early varieties with the first quantities making a dynamic appearance in the markets, while oranges and tangerines seem to be taking a breather.

In particular, strawberry exports have shown particular mobility, which since the beginning of the year, according to the data of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications processed by the Association of Hellenic Enterprises for the Export of Fruits, Vegetables and Juices – Incofruit Hellas, reached 2,713 tons compared to 1,690 tons in the corresponding period of 2022.

At the same time, oranges and tangerines appear to be recovering in the last week, with demand improving. Specifically, orange exports reached 129,115 tons compared to 124,132 in the corresponding period last year, while tangerine exports reached 127,777 tons compared to 102,236 tons last year.

“The low temperatures supported the resumption of markets as consumers in Europe switched to winter fruit consumption”, points out the specialist advisor of Incofruit Hellas, expressing the hope that “this positive trend will continue and after we passed the test of the third week of January 2023 to stabilize the flow of their exports at normal levels”.

Despite this, the opinion is expressed that large quantities of Naveline oranges (zero demand) and Clementine tangerines (due to their spoilage quickly afre picking) will remain unavailable.

“Support from the state is necessary by strengthening the increased costs to restore their competitiveness and solving, even with temporary measures, the problem of land workers, access to financing but also by withdrawing quantities for free distribution to vulnerable population groups and hospitality structures within the country”, points out Mr. Polychronakis, sounding the alarm bell at the same time, that in a different case, many fruits and vegetables will remain unharvested and producers will be led to partially abandon crops.

Apples

Apple exports continue at low rates, which from September 1, 2022 to January 20, 2023 amount to 38,046 tons compared to 32,347 tons in the corresponding period last year.

In particular, 25,354 tons were sent to Egypt (against 24,353 tons), 1,632 tons to Saudi Arabia (against 1,818 tons), 3,086 tons to Jordan (against 1,785 tons).

Also, in the same period, apple imports amounted to 3,361 tons, of which 1,892 tons were from North Macedonia and 720 tons from Poland.

Kiwis

From 1/9/2022 to 20/1/2023 the cargo announcements for the export-handling of kiwifruit, concerned 106,867 tons compared to 111,391 tons in the corresponding period last year.

Quantities to the USA amounted to 8,253 tons compared to 9,857 tons last year, to Spain 17,318 tons compared to 13,447 tons, to Italy 13,741 tons compared to 37,600 tons, to Canada 3,949 tons compared to 2,759 tons and to India. 9,364 sq. against 745 sq.

However, the exporters point out that despite the positive developments, among the exported cargoes are also included cargoes of kiwifruit for industrial use, which are estimated to amount to 1,260 tons headed for Italy, Ukraine and other destinations, for which they express the belief that it was ensured by the competent agencies of Greece that they were directed towards processing and not towards fresh consumption.

At the same time, 937 tons of kiwifruit were imported, of which 562 tons were from Italy (220 tons of the Hayward variety), but also 39 tons were imported from Iran.

Finally, cucumber exports continue at a record pace, which from 1/9/22 to 20/1/23 amounted to 29,556 tons compared to 21,852 tons in the 2021/22 period, registering an increase of 35.3%.