The season for the Greek peaches and nectarines is over. There were already few products left unharvested, due to the early maturation and harvest of this season, but almost nothing was left after last weekend's strong storm caused significant damage in the orchards of the Western Macedonia Region, Greece.
"On the contrary, there are still chances for Greek quality plums," says Mr. Yannis Tsartsarakis, shareholder of Froutofarm, a company based in Pella, Western Macedonia, which sources great portion of its plums and other stone fruits from this area. "There were also damages on plums in our area, but it is still harvest time for some more days for the late variety Angelino. Normally, the harvest season should last longer, but the production was already earlier than usual," he explains.
According to Mr. Tsartsarakis, the overall decrease of the plum tonnage is about 50% compared to a normal season and this has caused repercussions: "This means that we had to drastically change our distribution plans. We are obliged to rethink our priorities, because it is impossible to satisfy the demand. Of course, there are traders who try to secure more fruit to store in refrigeration chambers in order to meet market demand for a longer period, but there is really little product available." This situation has also caused great price increase: "The prices paid to farmers for the plums these days have increased to 0,70 euros/kg, while last year the prices during the corresponding period were about 0,40-0,50 euros/kg," concludes the Greek packer.
For more information
Yannis Tsartsarakis
Froutofarm
Tel: +30 23827 70467
[email protected]
https://www.froutofarm.gr/