The Greek stone fruit campaign has well and truly started. On May 6th, about a week earlier than last year, the first cherries and peaches are on offer at the stand of Hans Kuffer GmbH in Munich. "The volumes are still somewhat limited, but quality is excellent and we have a good position in the market due to the problematic weather in Italy," says sales manager Theo Hatzivassiliadis.
Through the Munich GmbH, cherries of the CROM label will arrive on wholesale markets throughout the Federal Republic. Pretty soon, the season will pick up speed and weekly volumes will arrive in Munich, Hatzivassiliadis expects. "I assume that we will be able to offer larger quantities in about 10 days." Olimpic Lands peaches -mainly grown in tunnels on the Peloponnese- will arrive in market-relevant quantities somewhat later, he predicts. "It will certainly take another three weeks before those offers increase."
Paraguayo peaches are establishing themselves
Cherries and peaches are not the only stone fruits that are sourced from Greece. Paraguayo peaches will soon be on offer as well, says Hatzivassiliadis. "At the end of this week, we are already expecting the first Paraguayos. We find that this particular variety is becoming more and more established in the German retail trade, while the consumption of "common" peaches is dropping off a little."
Greece as an alternative
Overall, the specialized importer expects it to be a good stone fruit campaign. "Compared to Spain, we are at a small disadvantage, as Greek stone fruits become available a little later. However, given the problematic weather in Italy, we can offer an interesting Greek alternative in the event of shortages."
For more information:
Hans Kuffer Fruchthandel GmbH
GF: Peter Kuffer & Theo Hatzivassiliadis 
Großmarkthalle - Halle I
Stand 5 & 6, 15 & 16
Schäftlarnstr. 10, 81371 München
Phone: +49 89 / 74 11 83 90 or +49 89 / 77 41 75
Fax-Nr.: +49 89 / 74 11 83 93 or +49 89 / 77 41 72
Email: [email protected]
www.kuffer24.com