The devastating wildfires in Korinthia, which have caused the death of two people so far, have left the local lemon orchards intact. These orchards are very important for the Greek lemon industry. However, both Korinthia and the neighboring region of Aigialia, the most important lemon-producing areas in Greece, are in desperate need of rain to ensure a good harvest and begin exports, which should have already started.
According to Mr. Dimitris Douvis, owner of the packing company Douvis Lemons from Korinthia, this abnormal situation has been caused by lack of rainwater storing facilities, combined with the dry summer: "At the moment, the lemon orchards are not producing the volumes they could under normal circumstances. Aigialia is bringing a little bit more lemons than Korinthia, but in both regions we see very low volumes," says the Greek packer. Moreover, there are quality problems. As Mr. Douvis describes: "Due to the high temperatures, there are significant problems with spider mite. You can see quite enough cases of trees bearing fruits which are unacceptable for the market and we can't do anything to change this."
The few lemons harvested so far are sent solely to the domestic market. The prices being paid to the Greek growers for the few conventional lemons are oscillating between 0,80 and 0,90 euros/kg, while the prices for organic lemons are about 0,10-0,15 euros/kg higher. However, they are facing strong competition from the Turkish lemons, which are being delivered these days to the central fruit and vegetable market of Thessaloniki at the same price. Greek lemon merchants denounce that the Turkish lemons, though cheaper, do not comply with the quality rules set for the Greek product. "We see every year that lemons are being fraudulently imported from Turkey, without complying with the residue rules enforced upon us. They are imported without having been inspected," says Mr. Douvis.
The starting date for exports remains unknown
It is certain that the Greek lemons exports are already late, but the Greek packer cannot confirm when they will begin. He stresses that the decisive factor will be the weather: "It depends on whether it will rain or not. The trees are loaded with almost double number of fruits than last year, but in order for the potential to be realized, rain is essential. Otherwise, these fruits won't obtain big sizes." As he explains: "From the moment it rains we will need 15 days for the fruit to reach proper caliber. We hope that we will be able to deliver the first significant batches of Interdonato to the international markets as of October 20th."
For more information:
Dimitris Douvis
Douvis Lemons
Tel: +30 27433 01526
Mob: +30 69443 78402
[email protected]
https://douvislemons.gr/