Greece continues to record increased rates for summer fruit exports, mostly due to the earlier start of the harvest, namely for peaches (+70%), apricots (+142%) or nectarines (+203%), while cherries have recorded a 50% drop and watermelon shipments have fallen only slightly.
Prospects, despite the reduced consumption observed, are promising and if the supply continues to meet the demand, it will be possible to maintain the conquered share in consumer markets.
Apple exports are going mainly to the Middle East, and cucumbers and tomatoes to the Balkan markets. There have been continued exports of oranges in bulk (direct from the field), while exports of kiwifruit and the mandarin variety Ortanik are sold for very low rates. The strawberry exports have virtually finished.
According to data from the Directorate of Documentation and Statistics of the Ministry of Rural Development, the fresh fruit and vegetable exports for the week between 11 and 17 June 2016, are:
- Oranges: 393,196 tonnes, compared with 268,146 tonnes last year.
- Mandarins: 98,839 tonnes, against 67,600 tonnes last year.
- Lemons: 20,525 tonnes, against 2,152 tonnes last year.
- Grapefruit: 390 tonnes, compared with 592 tonnes last year.
- Apples: 88,524 tonnes, against 64,582 tonnes last year.
- Cucumbers: 39,873 tonnes, against 33,771 tonnes last year.
- Kiwifruit: 114,895 tonnes, compared with 110,395 tonnes last year.
- Peaches: 18,614 tonnes, against 10,915 tonnes last year.
- Watermelons: 82,277 tonnes, against 82,475 tonnes last year.
- Cherries: 5,069 tonnes, compared with 10,161 tonnes last year.
- Nectarines: 7,837 tonnes, against 2,589 tonnes last year.
- Apricots: 9,516 tonnes compared to 3,934 tonnes last year.
Source: agronews.gr