FRESHLETTER JULY_UK

FRESHLETTER








MONTHL Y DIGIT AL MAGAZINE • JUL Y 2019 • ISSUE 002





Froutonea



Kefalinias 6 | 183 45 Moschato
Athens - Greece
Τ +30 210 4812212
F +30 210 4827089
[email protected]
www.froutonea.gr

Ownership
G. Orfanou & Co
Editor-Manager
Panagiotis Orfanos
Editor staff
Anna Makrigiorgou
Fotis Karabetsos
DTP
Yiorgos Vergouliades
Cover design
Aris Betchavas
Subscriptions
Christina Andreakou




ADVERTISED COMPANIES

COMPANY PAGE
SOULIS 1ST cover
ΤΕΧ 1
POLITIS 3
A.C EPISKOPI 5
IMATHIA’S AG. COOP 9
MENELAOS 13
INTERN. APPLE CON. 15
NOVATEC 17
GEOFROUTA 19
HELLAGRO 21 Freshcon market 2019: The next day…
ACN NAOUSSA 23 Pears: A few damages due to hail!
VELVITA Back cover
Cherries: With mixed feelings the season closure!

Kiwi: A bad year reached its end


Apples: Not a normal season!

Strawberries: Τhe «star» of the new markets
leads production



4 FRESHLETTER












FRESHCON MARKET 2019


THE NEXT DAY…



The meetings that Greek traders had with the Category Managers of European S/M chains a few months ago

during FreshCon Market seem to be having good results, as new partnerships have already been “born”.



reek traders have already had new
business deals with the Category
GManagers of Fruit and Vegetables of
European S/M Chains they met at Fresh-
Con Market 2019.
According to most Category Managers,
FreshCon Market is a great opportunity
to find reliable partners and it has been a
useful tool for most of them, as far as their
business deals are concerned.
Let’s see what the S/M Category Man-
agers of Fresh Fruit and Vegetables think
of this year’s event.



Andrey Boychuk Nicola Brasic

TAVRIA-V (UKRAINE) DELHAIZE (SERBIA)
«We have managed to earn the Greek «We are dealing with problems
traders’ trust» in business with
Greece, due
I would say that this year’s
meetings were more effective to lack of trucks”
than any other year. This is why
the event took place earlier this “We have already started doing
year, something that helped us business with companies that we
to schedule better our imports met on fair this year. Some of them
of summer fruit, such as are longterm partners, while other
peaches and nectarines. are new partners with whom we
Moreover, I think that through are devoloping our cooperation and
our participation at FreshCon partnership.
Market we have managed to At the moment we are importing
earn our partners’ trust, as the from greece Nectarines, Peaches,
majority of them has accepted our strict regulation regarding Apricots, Cherries, Melons, Watermalons... Also we are planning
the payments of products, after we receive them in our to start cooperation with other companies that we met on fair, but
warehouses. More specifically, this period we are importing from October because this companies are producers of vegetables
peaches from Komex Company, with which we have a great (tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, zucchini, cauliflower, broccoli,
partnership. potato...) So, to sum up – this year fair was very useful and based on
our meetings in Thessaloniki we are devoloping our cooperation.The
only problem we have faced so far is the delay in trade of products
becasue of the lack of transport trucks. But still we are trying to find
solution to overcome this challenge’’.


JULY 2019

Kateryna Zelenskayae Mariya Krivitskaya
ATB MARKET (UKRAINE) Artius 16 (BELARUS)
«FreshCon Market has much more «After FreshCon Market we have
to give to the sector. a huge variety in partners, products
This is only the beginning!» and prices»


This year we met lots of new “The Good news for our
suppliers during FreshCon company is that after our
Market and we have been meetings we had a variety
in contact since then. of suuppliers, products and
Nevertheless, we haven’t prices to choose. So, we have
started cooperating with them, already begun talking with lots
because as it is well said every of people we met, regarding a
new beginning is not easy. A variety of products. One of the
new partnership requires good advantages is the direct trade
planning and we stand at this with Greece, something which
phase at the moment. is really good for our company
On the other hand, it is amazing as the prices are better for both
how effective our partnershiops sides”.
are with all those companies that we have met so far at
previous events of FreshCon Market. We have managed
to have reliable companies as partners and we owe it to
FreshCon Market. If we have events like this in the sector the
future is bright.










Excellent quality fresh fruits all over the year
The propitious climate in combination with a great agricultural tradition, conteporary farming technology and our experience,
help us provide fruits which stand out for their exceptional appearance, ne aroma and delicious taste.























Episkopi - Anthemia (Naoussa - Greece) P.C. 59200Episkopi - Anthemia (Naoussa - Greece) P.C. 59200
tel. +30 23320 44494, +30 23320 44770, fax +30 23320 44900tel. +30 23320 44494, +30 23320 44770, fax +30 23320 44900
email: [email protected]: [email protected]



JULY 2019

6 FRESHLETTER wwww


















PRODUCTS













This summer has not been, so far, what it was expected, as it brought
us many rains, strong winds and fierce hailstorms. The damages so far
are many in various fruits, especially those which are produced
in Northern Greece, as this region of our country has been hit harder.
At this time we do not know what the impact of the market on these
losses will be, but it won’t need to wait for long to know that.
So let’s see the current situation of the main products and let’s
start from the grapes that appeared in July with the early varieties.
With regard to the volume of production, is estimated to be high,
while the harvest will start with the main varieties with a long
delay, which is welcomed by the merchants.

In July, however, along with grapes, the pears (kontoula, kosia
and Santa Maria) have also come to the retailers’ shelves.
As far as the basic variety, krystali, the harvest of this variety
will begin within the first week of August, while the volume
of production being set at good levels this year. Despite that
fact, the hail that fell in the Tyrnavos area in June had
a serious impact on the evolution of the season.

Finally, peaches have already reached half their trading time
and things have not yet been improved; on the contrary,
we would say that the damages from the hail, the rains
and the storm winds have aggravated the situation.
As for cherries, they are finishing a wonderful year,
with the exception of the first marketing period in May.

Moreover, apart from the products we enjoy at this time,
you can read the first information on how the situation
is shaped in winter products such as apples and kiwi.
Have a nice summer!










JUNE 2019

wwww










ÒCherries




WITH MIXED FEELINGS



THE SEASON CLOSURE!







The 2019 cherry season is over, with weather conditions being the
“protagonists” this summer, and defining the Producers’ financial
outcomes in such a way that in some areas they laugh and in some
others cry.




We are in the 29th week of the year and development and their only hope is ELGA’s
the trade of cherries is completed under compensation. Even though, these com-
the pressure of the extreme weather phe- pensations are delayed - and when given,
nomena that occurred in the 28th week in they do not cover the cost cultivation.
many areas of Northern Greece.
Some small quantities that were still The first conclusions
on the trees, do not seem to change the It is difficult to draw conclusions for this
image that the cherry trade had formed year’s development of cherry season - and
during this season - and which, if it could that, because from week to week and from
be characterized in two words, would be a region to region, the data is different. How-
«bittersweet year». ever, it can be said that this year’s demand
Sweet, because the areas that were not for good cherries was satisfactory and this
hit by hail or other weather phenomena was reflected in producer prices, opposite
had good prices this year, in a year when to the 2018 season, when producer prices
the volume of production was well de- were downgraded. Yet another conclusion,
veloped. In fact, according to people who which should be kept in mind of every-
know well the market, producer prices for one, is that the early varieties that come
good quality cherries stood at over € 1.50 out in May must be grown in southern re-
per kilo for the largest part of this season. gions where rain is scarce this month. At
On the other hand, however, we also had the same time, however, existing crops in
whole villages, in which the weather phe- northern Greece must be protected from
nomena were intense and completely de- extreme weather phenomena, with an-
stroyed the production. Producers in these ti-storm nets.
regions are not happy with the season’s In other words, the cherry cultivation
must take into account that, as a result
Τhe cherry cultivation must take into account that, as of climate change, extreme weather phe-
nomena will occur more often - and that
a result of climate change, extreme weather phenome- is why, beyond the protection measures,
na will occur more often - and that is why, beyond the a redesign is needed as to where to grow
cherries and which varieties.
protection measures, a redesign is needed as to where
to grow cherries and which varieties T.O





JUNE 2019

8 FRESHLETTER















ÒPeaches




ANOTHER BAD YEAR





May the peach season be in full swing, but it all seems to indicate
that the producers of Imathia and Pella will experience a catastrophic year for 3rd season in a row.




as 50 cents per kilo, and for varieties har-
vested in the last half of June, they will
be 10 cents lower, close to 40 minutes. In
the same way, July does not seem to be
different. Thus, these prices, in combina-
tion with the abundancy of the discarded
fruit of very bad quality constitute a cat-
astrophic reality for the Macedonian pro-
ducers who are experiencing a catastroph-
ic season for 3rd consecutive year.
Apart from the producers, problems will
also arise this year in the business of many
Cooperatives, as their turnover will be low
and so they will not have the necessary
revenue to cover their operating costs. On
the other hand, the low fruit quality cre-
ates difficulties for the private companies
to meet the needs of their customers, who
may seek alternative in the Spanish pro-
duction.
The peach market goes on with many There is, of course, another category of
problems caused by the continuous ex- merchants who rub their hands with sat-
treme weather phenomena that have af- isfaction with this development. These are
fected mainly Imathia, Pella and Tyrnavos. the brokers who collaborate with the Bal-
The good peaches collected are now little kan traders, as they will find again them-
and the quantities that are hurt by hail are The low fruit quality creates selves buying fruits in very cheap prices.
too many.
In order to find a way out, these quan- difficulties for the private The next period
tities are sold in very low prices, i.e. 10- companies to meet the As it seems, 70% of the expected pro-
15 minutes per kilo. It is worth noting here duction in the plain of Imathia and Pel-
that besides hail, fruits appear also more needs of their customers, la will have been collected until the first
quality problems due to the lack of the week of August. There are no stocks at
necessary cultivation cares. who may seek alternative this time - and will not be created in the

Frustration everywhere in the Spanish production next few weeks, so those producers who
have good quality fruits, it could be those
According to people linked with the who may find themselves happy in the end
peach market, prices for early varieties of summer.
harvested by mid-June will be as much


JULY 2019



10 FRESHLETTER






ÒStrawberries




THE “STAR” OF THE NEW MARKETS LEADS PRODUCTION




A generally satisfactory year has ended for the Greek strawberry producers, who continue to adapt
their moves both on productive and commercial level, to their aim to increase their presence in the
markets of Central and Western Europe.

































The crops of strawberry in the area of considerable steps were made, in both pro-
Manolada rose for another year, reaching ductive reorganization and commercial re-
for the 2018-2019 season at 13,000 ha, orientation for greater penetration in oth-
with 98% of them being greenhouses. Pro- er European countries, the goal remains to
duction amounted around 55,000 tonnes, be achieved and the contacts with western
the fruits were of good quality, and the The question of the future European customers still need time to be
overall level of producer prices reached a acreage of strawberry stabilized and become more.
satisfactory level. However, it is a common
assumption that this season is one more planting cannot be answered Good price level
link in an effort to move Greek strawberries In any case, as for the competition, for
into a new era. yet as it will be judged one more time, the Spanish production
by whether there will was the decisive factor. In particular, the
The transition to the European large amounts of the region of Huelva,
markets is still under way be more penetration managed to arrive relatively early in mar-
According to the big Greek companies kets that are closer to Greece, creating a
that are active in the strawberry sector, the in the Central and Western “lack of space” for the Greek product and
Greek product has not yet managed to be European Markets price pressure. Despite that fact and after
sufficiently independent from the Eastern all, the price for the Greek producer was
Markets. This year, production was mainly at 1.20 euros per kilo and, although lower
driven in Eastern European countries, while than last year, it is considered satisfactory.
a smaller percentage was absorbed by the
Markets of Germany, France, the Nether- Greek strawberry is changing
lands and the United Kingdom. Although Regarding the future of Greek strawber-



JULY 2019

ry, some things are clear and some oth- In the context of focusing on the markets of Central and
er are still not. Starting from the estima-
tions about the next season, crop acreage Western Europe, the Camarosa variety is increasingly being
will definitely remain at this year’s level,
but it is still early to say whether there will substituted by Victory, which is expected to occupy the first
be new plantings. In general, according to place among the plantations, as early as the next season
people of the Greek Strawberry Market, the
question of the future acreage of plantation
cannot be answered yet as it will be judged
by whether there will be more penetration
in the markets of Central and Western Eu-
rope. However, the assessment is that if
new contacts with big customers eventu-
ally succeed and get stabilized, then this
will be reflected in a new rise in Greek pro-
duction.

The definite facts
As we said, there are some clearer facts
about the future of Greek strawberry, which
are about changes that are already in prog-
ress - and of course dictated by the goal of
increasing exports to Central Europe.
Thus, an important feature that will
characterize the Greek production in the
near future is the dominant presence of
the Victory variety, which replaces Cama-
rosa. In particular, before the Russian em-
bargo, the Camarosa variety monopolized
about 70% of the total plantations, but af- GERMANY
ter the embargo, its presence is declining
- and this year it covered only 45% of the MORE AND MORE STRAWBERRY GREENHOUSES
strawberry land. Instead, the variety Vic-
tory, which is being more consumed more Protected cultivation of straberries in Germany is without
in Central and Western Europe, this year
amounted about 35% of the crop and, ac- a doubt on the rise, and it will keep rising in the future.
cording to the estimations from the Greek
producers, will be the more planted as ear- More and more strawberry growers in Germany turn their production into pro-
ly as next season. Concluding the capture tected, especially with the use of greenhouses and tunnels, in order to achieve
of the varietal distribution of production, the possibility of having the season start earlier. According to Labinot, the per-
it is noteworthy that Fortuna is the princi- son in charge of the fresh produce department of Landgard, the acreage used for
pal among the early varieties, which is har- protected cultivation has increased in the past few years at the cost of the acre-
vested since November and occupies 20% age used for open field cultivation, which has decreased as a result. “In the Rhine-
of the plantations. land region, we currently have 16 ha of greenhouse cultivation, 15 ha of covered
Finally, indicative element, showing the cultivation on gutters and in tunnels and another 160 ha of open field cultivation”
existing confidence or even the expecta- he says.
tions to increase the dynamics of Greek On the other hand, Volker Janssen, owner of cultivation company Frucht Jans-
strawberry abroad is that Enterprises of sen GbR, states that despite the progress in this sector, Germany has still a lot
agricultural supplies of all types are turn- to do. “Protected cultivation in Germany is without a doubt on the rise, and it will
ing more strongly to Manolada, to promote keep rising in the future, especially given the fact that the quality is becoming
products and services related to crop or more stable, and better ways of controlling the climate become available. There
post-harvest management of strawberry. is also a demand for season extension coming from the customers. Based on the
high energy costs, however, projects with lighted cultivation have not been real-
F.K. ized in Germany yet. In other countries – namely Belgium and the Netherlands –
they are a lot more advanced in this regard.”




JULY 2019

12 FRESHLETTER





ÒKiwis




A BAD YEAR REACHED ITS END




“The 2019 kiwi season shall
never come back,” is the wish
of the kiwi merchants and
producers after a disastrous
campaign.



the fruit, but this reduces the durability to
refrigeration and so we have such results.
To this, we have to add the bad harvest
that is being done, as well as the incom-
plete knowledge of a large portion of mer-
chants for the proper post harvesting be-
havior of kiwi. All of this together is the
cause of the big losses in kiwis this year.
The duty of finding a solution is of the
traffickers, who must understand that they
need to redefine their relationship with the
producers and not put the limits in the con-
The kiwi trading season was complet- clusion of a trade agreement that takes a
ed, with exports reaching 134,759 tons un- few hours. They must work together with
til 28/06/19, compared with 157,985 tons good agronomists who will guide producers
of the same period last year. to cultivate properly, especially those from
This development is not bad, since the which they buy their products every year.
only reason is the absence of exports at A large portion of merchants
the Italian market, but in the final valuation Can we overcome the damages?
of the season we should take into account lost about 10-15 minutes But what really concerns the mer-
the major role played by the big losses a kilo in the total amount chants at this moment is how to deal with
that occurred during the storage stage. the damages. Their first action is to re-
According to the merchants’ state- they stored, because form their agreements with the produc-
ments, we estimate that at least 10-15% ers, an act that has disrupted many times
of the volume was rejected, as kiwis did the fruits got soft. But there their relations. The question that arises
not have the strengths they should have now is whether these damages are “man-
and were getting soft very quickly this year. was also a small portion ageable”. This will be answered in a few
To this quantity, we have to add another of merchants, who not months, when the new kiwi season will
10%, which was sold far below the cost of start.
buying. If we translate the losses to mon- only did not suffer Finally, let us note that the cooperatives
ey, then we see that a large portion of mer- that sold the kiwis on behalf of
chants lost about 10-15 minutes per kilo in damage but the producers, are now giv-
the total amount they stored. Let us note ing prices which fluc-
here, however, that there was also a por- also gained tuate at 38 to 43
tion of traffickers who not only did not suf- money cents per kilo,
fer damage but also made a profit. depending of
course on the
Why did we have damages? Cooperative.
The producers, or from ignorance or from
bad agronomic advice, carries out such T.O.
treatments, which can increase the size of



JULY 2019



14 FRESHLETTER







ÒApples





NOT A NORMAL SEASON!


The first information we have about the new season of apples are not that pleasant for the product, as
everything shows that the overall production volume will be lower in comparison with last year!



Even the traders that have sold their
stocks, they haven’t earned as much as
they expected during season 2018-2019.
If we consider that the apple production
in Poland is low this season, due to frost
and if the demand from Egypt and oth-
er countries is the same as last year, then
the traders will have a completely differ-
ent behavior.










All eyes on apple
during Freskon 2020

The production volume of apples will be
severely reduced this season in compar- After cherries, green vegetables,
ison with last year at the majority of the kiwi and peach it is apple’s turn
production areas of Greece. It must be not- The production volume to be the main product of Freskon
ed down that last year the production of congress for 2020, which will take
apples was really high, so if we compare of apples will be severely place on 2-4 April 2020.
the new season with the last one then the Remarkable speakers for all over
reduction of this year will be more than reduced this season in the world will come to Greece to
20%. talk about the latest trends on
Another characteristic of the new sea- comparison with last year at apples. The main topics that the
son seems to be the huge reduction in red the majority of the production congress will focus will be new
varieties and less in green and yellow. cultivation techniques, new apple
Regarding the quality of the fruit, what areas of Greece. It must be varieties and all the technology
we can say with certainty is that there are that is used by the representatives
problems due to hailstorms, but we will be noted down that last year of the international sector of apple
able to say more in two months from now. in packaging and storage.
the production of apples was
The trade really high, so if we compare
The commercial season of apples was
not satisfying last year as until week 28 the new season with the last
that we are going through severe quanti-
ties of apples have not been absorbed and one then the reduction of this
there might be apples of last year in the
warehouses when the new harvest begins. year will be more than 20%



JULY 2019



16 FRESHLETTER










ÒPears





A FEW DAMAGES DUE TO HAIL!





The early varieties of pears have made their appearance in the markets, but what seems to worry the
traders is what the season of Blanquilla pears will be like.




The new season of pears began and the
early traditional variety “Kontoules” has
entered the market. The production vol-
ume of this variety is not big this year, due
to diseases that have destroyed lots of
cultivated areas the last years. As far as
the producer prices are concerned, they
reach 1.50 euros/kilo and the sizes of pears
are good in caliber and quality.
Except for Kontoules, in a few days the
first quantities of Kosia and Santa Maria
will reach the market. Two varieties that
have ideal characteristics for export and
have established their presence in the ar-
ea of Tirnavos.
There haven’t been any specific qual-
ity problems at these varieties. The on-
ly thing that seems to worry the traders is
that small calibers will be many this sea-
son and this is something that might influ-
ence the trade of the product.
Regarding the production volume, it
seems that it will be higher this year and
according to traders of the area, the vol- tons. As a result, the overall production
volume will reach 35.000 tons.
ume of Santa Maria and Kosia will reach The conclusion
3.000 tons and 1.500 tons respectively.
Based on the information provided The trade
Last year, the commercial season of
Blanquilla pears through the article, the production Blanquilla pears was quite satisfying and it
As far as Blanquilla pears are concerned, volume of Blanquilla pears will be
the first estimations show that it will be a higher, but the good quality pears had nothing to do with season 2017-2018,
which was awful for the product. Of course,
special year for this variety as the hail- will be a few this season, due to
storms of July caused damages to the hailstorms in Tirnavos. Regarding their prices reached low levels around 0,50
euros/kilo.
fruits, which are many in some areas and the producer prices, they reach
This season the producer prices will
less in some others. Nevertheless, the 0,50 euros/kilo. reach the same levels and this will depend
“wounds” seem to heal and maybe the Last but not least, the season
problems will be less. for the rest of the pear varieties on the quality of fruit, something that we
will know a few days before the beginning
Regarding now the production volume, will be late and their production
it is estimated that it will overpass 25.000 volume will be good, with no of the harvest. The harvest is estimated to
start during the first week of August and it
tons this year at the area of Tirnavos, surprises.
whereas in other areas it will reach 10.000 will be late for about a few days, in com-
parison with a normal period.


JULY 2019

we hear you




at NOVATEC we listen to you carefully
as we walk side by side into the new age.
An age of innovation, knowledge,
consistency and technological development.




INTERPERA 2019 BRINGS

CLOSER THE INTERNATIONAL


PEAR STAKEHOLDERS



The forecasts of summer pears production in
Europe have underlined the bad weather and
the instability of the climate during the cur-
rent campaign, in all the European producing
countries, which will, most certainly, result in a
reduced production.


For the eleventh time since 2008, Interpera, the international
pear congress, has hosted one hundred and ten producers, pro-
cessing companies, nursery growers, experimental centers and
marketers in Europe, from 25 to 27 June 2019 in Tours, France.
The presence of these experts originating from 9 countries
(France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Holland, Spain, Belgium, Turkey,
Greece, South Africa, The United States and South Africa) made
it possible to offer participants a broad spectrum of the sector,
from production to recent developments and to future prospects.
The forecasts of summer pears production in Europe have un-
derlined the bad weather and the instability of the climate during
the current campaign, in all the European producing countries,
which will, most certainly, result in a reduced production. In 2018,
the European pear production reached 2.370.000 tons.
The afternoon presentations focused on research and varietal
innovation, as well as on practices undertaken to respond to so-
cietal expectations, particularly within ecologically responsible
orchards.
For the co-organisers of the event, represented by Daniel Sau-
vaitre, President of the French Apple Pear Association (ANPP)
and Jean-Louis Moulon, Vice President of AREFLH “the objec- SORTING, GRADING AND PACKING LINES
FOR FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
tive of the congress is to stimulate the pear sector, in this way,
Interpera 2019 it has largely achieved its goal, through the in- NOVATEC S.A.
tense sharing of experiences and the exchange of information of Industrial Zone of Patras, P.C. 250 18 Patras, Greece
these three days “. t.: +30 2610 647580-2, f.: +30 2610 647583
The congress closed on the announcement of the 2020 edi- e-mail: [email protected]
tion host country: it will be the Netherlands and the Dutch Pro- BRANCH
duce Association (DPA) that will organise the event, still in part- CERTIFICATE Patrida, Veria, t.: +30 23310 24366
OF QUALITY
nership with AREFLH. MANAGEMENT www.novatec.gr
ISO 9001:2015

JULY 2019

froutonea katax 11-2018 teliki.indd 12 16/07/2019 12:58

18 FRESHLETTER










ÒGrapes




ALL EYES ON WEATHER!



The climate change has already affected the cultivation of grapes this season and the good
omens of last month have been replaced with wishes for not many damages due to hail in July.


duction volume is lower than the first esti-
mations of the producers and it approach-
es 70%. This is because the weather was
not good during the period of blossoming.
Regarding the producer prices, they
reach during week 29 1 euro/kilo.
As far as Thomson Seedless is con-
cerned, the harvest is estimated to begin
at the end of July and the production vol-
ume of the variety will be lower 10-15%, in
comparison with last year!
It must be noted at this point that there
are producers in Crete that refuse to plant
other varieties but Thompson Seedless
and there are some others that look for
new varieties with low cultivating costs
and other characteristics. For the record,
Thompson Seedless covers 70% of the
overall cultivated area of grapes in Crete,
whereas prime, superior, Attica and oth-
er early varieties cover the remaining 30%.

Korinthos
The early varieties Prime and Cardinal
The hail and rainfalls that took place in The hail and rainfalls that gave the first quantities of grapes in the
July affected the quality and quantity of area of Korinthos at mid-July, but the hail
early and late varieties in Kavala and Ko- took place in July affected that hit the area a few days after the be-
rinthos, whereas the region of Crete was the quality and quantity ginning of the harvest caused quality prob-
not touched by the bad weather condi- lems at the cultivations. According to trad-
tions. Let’s see how much the above pro- of early and late varieties ers in the area, the damages are intense at
duction areas have been affected by the the early varieties, but still they cannot be
weather and what the traders’ fears are at in Kavala and Korinthos, accurate if the losses are big.
the moment. The producer prices overpass 1 euro/ki-
whereas the region of Crete lo, because the quantities are not many
Crete was not touched by the bad yet. Regarding Thompson Seedless, the
Beginning form the island of Crete, the harvest begins during the first week of Au-
season seems to be going really well, as weather conditions gust, but the damages are not clear yet.
the bad weather has not affected the cul-
tivation of grapes in the island. More spe- Kavala
cifically, the harvest of the early variet- Kavala is one of the areas in Northern
ies (Prime, Superior and Attica) began at Greece, which was hit severely by hail-
mid-July. The news is not that good for the storms and its grape cultivation is dam-
specific varieties, because the overall pro- aged as well. More specifically, the hail


JULY 2019

caused lots of damages at Mirtofito
The market
Platanotopos and Mesoropi.
The quality problems are many this year
especially at the cultivations which were The commercial season began
not protected by anti-hail nets. Regarding having a big advantage. The
Victoria variety, its harvest is estimated fact that the season was late.
to begin at the end of July and Thompson Nevertheless, the weather ruined
Seedless will give the first fruit in Septem- the producers and traders’ plans,
ber. who are waiting to see what
the exact damages are, so that
Total Damages in the area of they see what quantities will
Chalkidiki be marketed and exported this
The storm that hit Chalkidiki in July season
caused total damages at the majority of Until now, the exports of Greek
cultivations in the area. The damages were grapes are low and the majority
total at grape cultivations even at those of products are absorbed by the
covered by nets. All the new plantations domestic market.
of grapes were damaged too. According to
the first estimations, this year’s production
volume will become wine.























HIGH QUALITY PRODUCTS

RESPECT TO THE CONSUMER
















G.AGGELOPOULOS-D.AGGELOPOULOU
IMPORTS-EXPORTS OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS
61 KLM PATRA-PYRGOS LEHAINA,ILIA 27053
Tel: +30 26230 29171, 24340 / mob: 6972 837 080, 6979 117 108 / e-mail: [email protected]


JULY 2019

20 FRESHLETTER









“TOTAL DAMAGES FOR GRAPE

CULTIVATIONS AT MIRTOFITO IN KAVALA”




Mr.Nikos Mavridis, President of A.C Symvolo, describes what the
season of grapes is like at Kavala, an area that has been hit by bad
weather conditions in July.













NIKOS MAVRIDIS

EXPORT MANAGER
OF PAPADOPOULOS COMPANY





Mr. Mavridis, there were bad weather
conditions that affected many culti-
vations in Northern Greece recently.
Was the cultivation of grapes in Kava-
la one of them?
The hail that took place at Mirtofito of
Kavala at the beginning of July, caused se-
vere damages at the cultivation of grapes.
The damages were huge at cultivations be good so far, at the areas that have not
that were not protected by special nets. been hit by hail.
More hailstorms took place at mid-July
too and as result the losses were import- Regarding Thompson Seedless vari-
ant at other areas of Kavala, such as Plat- The first quantities of ety, what are your estimations?
anotopos and Mesoropi. The first quantities will be harvested in
Thompson Seedless September and everything shows that the
So, the season will not be good for variety will be harvested in season will be better that last year and
grapes at your area? the fruits will have better quality as well.
Well, apart for the areas that I men- September and everything Let’s hope that the weather will not prove
tioned above, Kavala has not been affected us wrong!
severely by the weather. Nevertheless, we shows that the season will be
have no idea what will happen from now Closing the interview, will you tell us
on and I will avoid making accurate predic- better that last year and the if the climate change is considered to
tions as it is still too early. be a treat for the cultivation of grapes
fruits will have better quality in your area?
When does the harvest of early vari- as well. Let’s hope that the Yes, I think it is. The weather conditions
eties begin in your area? are so intense that it takes a minute for a
Victoria will give the first quantities at weather will not prove us season to be completely destroyed. Espe-
the end of July and its quality seems to cially when it comes to a sensitive prod-
wrong! uct like grape.


JULY 2019



22 FRESHLETTER









“POLONIAN TOMATOES, AS ALWAYS,

WILL BE IN THE GREEK MARKET”







This year’s polish tomatoes will be of good quality, according to Mr.
Jan Nowakowski, Export Manager of the Polish company Gene-
sis Fresh. As Mr. Nowakowski notes, demand for Polish tomatoes
from European markets usually begins to grow when July comes.








JAN NOWAKOWSKI At which volume do you think this
year’s greenhouse production will
EXPORT MANAGER grow and what kind of comment do
you have about its quality?
OF GENESIS FRESH
Our production will come from a total ar-
ea of 950 to 1.100 ha and our quality is top-
of-the-line, as every year. I want to em-
phasize that the entire cultivation process
takes place under strict control and mod-
ern climate control carried out by comput-
er systems, and, furthermore, our produc-
tion is fully traceable.

When did you start harvesting and
Mr Nowakowski, how is the green- when are you ready to finish?
house tomato season evolving in Po- Our first greenhouse tomatoes have
land? Are there any problems? been harvested since March, while the
In Poland, we have grown greenhouse quantities that are directed to the local
tomatoes for many years. Our greenhous- market are small. Our production reach-
es are modern, state-of-the-art, made by es its peak during the months of June-Au-
Western European Companies. Also, to- gust, where most of our production is al-
mato seeds are purchased from the larg- so absorbed by foreign markets. This year,
est companies, such as Rijk Zwaan and we expect to have all the tomatoes picked
Syngenta. For these reasons, Polish toma- at the end of October - or at the latest by
toes are well-known to our customers in mid-November. Greenhouse tomato
Europe. Every season, of course, is differ-
ent. For example, we have been experienc- Does the Greek Market hold a position production in Poland reaches
ing high temperatures during the summer in your export list?
for a few years, which caused a reduction Every year, Polish tomatoes can also be its peak in June-August,
in the production. found in the Greek market, with G and GG where most of our production
Another feature of Polish crops is that sizes being the ones that have been pre-
Poland has for many years made a turn to ferred for many years by Greek importers. is also absorbed by foreign
more pink tomatoes - or raspberry, Tomi- The greatest interest is shown in August
maru variety, as they are particularly pre- and September, but also in July there is a markets
ferred by the Polish consumer communi- good demand for our tomatoes and we are
ty and the supermarket chains. Finally, we already in discussions with Greek import-
grow tomatines as well. ers.



JULY 2019