There are plenty of red onions still available in the warehouses of Greek merchants. According to Mr. Nikos Stamou, owner of the packing company Stamou Onions, based in Thiva, the principal onion-growing region in Greece: "The stocks are bigger than in many other seasons. This is due to the combination of low demand and the larger than ever plantings that took place in Greece. Onion cultivation has expanded significantly over the last few years, driven by former cotton and grain growers in the areas of Kozani, Orestiada, and Larisa, who have been disappointed by these crops and have turned their farms to onion cultivation."
Normally, Greek red onions should be exported now to neighboring Balkan countries. "However, the Balkan importers seem to prefer Austrian and Dutch onions, which are cheaper than ours. The EXW prices for Greek onions currently stand at 0,35-0,40 euros/kg. This would not be called high, but the average grower price was quite lower, at 0,20 euros. Despite the slow sales pace, we are not worried about the stored onions. They are going to last long without problems," Mr. Stamou says.
In contrast to the red onions, there is a great shortage of white Greek onions. As Mr. Stamou explains: "There is no higher demand for white onions, but the considerably low harvest and the early summer sales have currently led to a great lack of product. Our company has similarly turned to importing white onions from Austria and Holland, with prices similar to those of the Greek white onions, at 0.45 euros/kg. Despite the fact that Greek onions are preferably sought after in Greek grocery stores, more imports of white onions will be required day by day."
"I think that by the end of January, all the Greek white onion stocks will be gone. The new Greek white onions will come to the market in April. This is not the case for the red onions. There are plenty of them, and they will last until the new crop arrives. It also seems that the new acreage of onion plantings will once again expand," the Greek merchant concludes.
For more information:
Nikos Stamou
Stamou Onions
Mob: +30 697 791 4676
Email: [email protected]
https://kokkarithivon.gr/