In a few days, the red spring onion harvest will start in Greece; however, a part of the winter production remains unsold. The question then is whether the new volumes will have a better chance. In fact, problems with a fungal attack have also been recently identified, with the specific pathogen still to be determined, and the results of this are expected to show in the post-harvest stage. Samples from various affected fields have been sent to the Benaki Phytopathological Institute for analysis, but the answer has not yet come.
Although the acreage cultivated with onions has grown by 15% compared to last year, the production may actually remain stable due to the weather conditions, although only time will tell. Due to the low prices of the summer, producers have not been keen in making further investments in the protection of their crops or their fertilisation.
In the region of Viotia, producers have been forced to drop their prices and one of the biggest problems mentioned is the lack of a strong local quality label. Together with the corresponding certifications, it is believed that such a move would help producers improve their presence in foreign markets. Growers are convinced that the situation can only change with such collective schemes; unfortunately, there are currently no plans in this direction.
Source: ypaithros.gr