Fruits and vegetables: Which Greek agricultural products boosted exports

The increase in the prices of fruits and vegetables proved to be decisive for the formation of a positive trade balance in agricultural products during the 8 months of January – August.

This results from the data of Hellenic Statistical Authority-ELSTAT for the 8th month of January – August, processed by the Incofruit Hellas Exporters Association, according to which, in fact, it is estimated that overall the year will close with a positive sign.

In particular, the exports of fresh fruits and vegetables in the eight months of 2023 amounted to 1,254 thousand tons, increased by 13.77% compared to the corresponding period last year, reaching a value of 1.131 billion euros, also increased by 21.6%.

Protagonists in the rally of the increase in the value of exports were cherries, the prices of which were increased by 37.7%, followed by peppers with 24.4%.

Oranges had higher prices by 22.7%, apples by 21.2%, cucumbers by 20.7% and apricots by 20.4%.

The average price of vegetables, according to official data, has increased by 7.8% and fruit by 6.7%.

The better prices at which they were exported were decisive, even more so if one takes into account that the quantities of summer fruit and vegetables exported were reduced by 9.5%.

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How will the year end?

At the same time, indications from the data so far show that “the year will close with a record positive sign in terms of exported quantities exceeding 1.700 million tons but with an overestimated positive sign record and in terms of values estimated at 1.65 billion euros due to inflation”, estimates the special advisor of the Incofruit Hellas Association Giorgos Polychronakis.

The balance is positive

The balance of agricultural products continues with a positive sign in the 8th month of 2023, while according to estimates the year will close with a surplus.

In 2020, the surplus of the balance of agricultural products was formed at 510.953 million euros with the predominant participation of the sector of fruits, vegetables and their preparations) in its formation (1.608 billion euros).

The balance remained in surplus in 2021 and reversed in 2022, with a deficit of 330.61 million euros.

But during the 8 months of January – August 2023, the positive sign returned with a surplus of 527.991 million euros (with the participation of fruits and vegetables at 1.349 million euros) against a deficit of 425.17 million euros in the corresponding period of 2022 (with again dominant participation of the fruit and vegetable sector with 1.349 million euros).

“The remaining months of 2023 are included in the main months of fruit and vegetable imports in our country (also due to tourism), but it is estimated that it will close with a surplus estimated at 400 million euros”, estimates Mr. Polychronakis.