FROUTONEA_UK_OCTOBER20

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


ADVERTISED COMPANIES




COMPANY PAGE


HELLAGRO 2ND COVER
TEX 1
MSC 3 In this issue
MENELAOS 7
DOLE 9
PLASTIKA KRITIS 11 Kiwis: Optimism is not lacking
EAS KAVALAS 13 this year either…
CRETA TASTE 15
AGROLAB 17 Αvocados: Normal Production
KIKU 19
0KAA BACKCOVER Apples: Normal Production



4 PRODUCTS








ÒKiwis




OPTIMISM IS NOT LACKING THIS YEAR EITHER…






The kiwi sector is currently in full swing and producers and traders hope that last year’s good season
will be repeated this year. But can to justify this excessive optimism, or does the year hide difficulties
that could turn the tide and put producers and traders in a difficult position?



We are in the 38th week and in the field
of kiwifruits a mobility has begun to be ob-
served, as in a few weeks the harvest of
the Hayward variety, which is the main vol-
ume of kiwi production in our country, will
begin. Estimates for the formation of the
production volume and the quality of the
fruits have already begun and let us see to-
gether how the situation in our country is in
these matters.

The volume of production
According to the observations of peo-
ple that are well aware of this product,
the total volume of kiwifruit production in
our country will show a slight increase this
year, despite the fact that there has been
some damage from hail on estates located
in the area of Kavala and of Xanthi, while
small losses of production have been ob-
served in Pieria due to barrenness, which
is due to the frosts that occurred in the
spring. However, the new farms that enter
production every year and which are many
in all areas of Northern Greece, will replace
these losses with the above.
As we have mentioned in the past,
there is no reliable data to determine ex-
actly the amount of total kiwi production
in our country and any data that circulate
are always based on estimates of people
that are well acquainted with this product.
Based on these estimates, it is said that
this year the total volume of kiwi produc-
tion in our country will be between 240,000
- 270,000 tons.

The quality of the fruits
Now about the quality of the fruit, we




OCTOBER 2020

cannot say much at this time, as until the is whether the Italians and the Spaniards
harvest begins we need close to another will be present this year as well.
month, and at this time a lot can change. Considering that the Italian production
However, what we must keep in mind about is reduced this year as well, and in fact at
the issue of «fruit quality» is that the plants It is said that this year lower levels than last year, it is almost cer-
in our country have not been affected by tain that the Italians will show interest in
various diseases, as is the case in Italy and the total volume of kiwifruit the Greek production of kiwis this year as
the kiwi sector must have his eyes wide well.
open to protect itself. production in our country However, the Spaniards will also be pres-
ent, as the 2019-20 season left them with
The harvest will be close to 240,000 tons, good profits and so it is logical that they
For another year, the issue of harvest- slightly increased compared want to repeat their moves of last year.
ing comes to the fore, as some «hurried» Now, if we add the Greek traders to the
traders proceeded to harvest the vari- to last year equation of «conditions», most of whom
ety «Tsechelidis», from the end of August, have included the kiwi in their commercial
without it having the necessary organo- quiver, as it brings them good profits, then
leptic characteristics. In fact, on this issue, all the players will enter the «commercial
the special advisor of INCOFRUIT, Mr. Poly- arena» this year as well.
chronakis, issued a statement in which he All this leads us to the conclusion that
scolded the actions, characterizing them as producer prices will move to last year’s lev-
illegal. Also, he points out that «harvesting els and maybe a little more. In other words,
kiwifruits before they reach 6,2% Brix and we estimate that they will move around 60
15% dry matter content, as provided by Eu- minutes with exclusions of 10% up or down
ropean and National legislation, is an act depending on the quality of the fruits or
of recklessness and obvious irresponsibil- even the method of payment.
ity, which can ruin the commercial season Of course, towards the end of the har-
of kiwi”. The statement of the Special Ad- vest we will have changes in producer pric-
visor concludes, saying «We ask the Greek es, which can be set at higher levels but
authorities to intensify the audits to ensure may also fall, as in the last minutes of a
the reputation of Greek fruits and vegeta- game everything is likely to happen.
bles.»
It should be noted here that some con- The absorption by the market
signments that did not meet the maturity The low stocks currently available in Eu-
criteria have been blocked by the authori- rope are expected to be depleted by the
ties of our country, while some others have time the new crop is harvested, so that
been rejected as unsuitable by the recipi- during the harvest period a significant vol-
ents. ume of production will be absorbed by the
As far as the beginning of the harvest market, resulting in smaller quantities in
of the Hayward variety is concerned, until the refrigerators.
the time of writing this report, nothing has er prices will be formed this year. As it has Another element that we must take in-
been ascertained from the previous years,
been announced by Greek Ministry of Ag- to account is the covid-19, which as every-
riculture, but apparently the «commercial mood» of the Italian trad- thing shows will be «present» this winter
ers is the one that largely determines
this will be more or as well. Consumers last spring, when the
less the same as the producer price in our country. pandemic was raging, increased their con-
But close to the Italians we must
last year. sumption of fruits and kiwis to boost their
add the Spaniards who in immune system.
recent years have an
The prices If we have a similar consumer behavior
Let us now impressive «pres- this year, then the absorption of stocks in
look at the con- ence» in the es- kiwi will be very easy and will bring good
troversial issue, tates trading di- profits to traffickers.
rectly with the
which is noth-
ing more than producers.
So the ques-
the level at
which produc- tion that arises Τ.Ο.



OCTOBER 2020

6 INTERVIEW



































“GREAT DEMAND FOR THE GREEK KIWIS


IN THE INTERNATIONAL MARKETS”
ZISIS MANOSIS

GENERAL MANAGER Increased by 10-15% will be the current kiwi crop, compared to
OF ZEUS KIWI S.A.
that of the previous year, highlights Mr. Zisis Manosis, General
Manager of the Zeus Kiwi S.A. Moreover, Mr. Manosis com-

Mr. Manosis, this year’s forecasts ments on what was discussed during the IKO Congress, which
about the greek kiwis are really opti- was realized through teleconference.
mistic. What’s your opinion about the
outcome of the season?
Indeed, the first signs and data that are most, there is a low volume crop in Ita- their selves. The Greek kiwifruit cultiva-
in our disposition are talking about a quite ly, about 5-10% compared to last season, tion reach the 11.000 hectares this year,
good season. The overall crop in the var- for one more year. The different diseases from the 80.000 hectares four years ago.
ious cultivation centers of our country is and the death of the plants torment this
forecasted to be increased by 10-15%, neighboring county during the last years Your company takes part in the cul-
compared to that of the previous year and and have impact in the final crop. The tivation of two new cultivars along
it is said that it will reach the 270.000 tons. second reason has to do with the limit- with the New Kiwi Plant Company.
Speaking about quality, the kiwifruits will ed stocks of the Southern Hemisphere’s How is this investment going on?
be good, although we will have a bit small- countries. Specifically, the Chilean stocks The New Kiwi Plant Company, which
er calibres, compared with last year, when are already over and the New Zealand’s was established about ten years ago, in-
there was an excessive presence of big ki- kiwis will be sold till the first days of De- vested in the genetic improvement of the
wifruits. The same good flow we think that cember. That is based on the great de- kiwifruit plants in cooperation with the
will prevail also in the trading. The inter- mand of the Asiatic markets during the University of Udine, Italy. Zeus Kiwi S.A.
est that is being expressed for the greek summer months, which caused the stocks is one of the companies that share the
kiwifruits is already big for the internation- to shrink more quickly. Therefore, the efforts of this venture. Today we have
al markets and, actually, is bigger than any Greek kiwi will have a advantageous po- reached to cultivate 5 hectares with kiwi
other previous year. sition in the markets of these two cultivars, one of them is ear-
ly and one late. The outcomes are perfect
Where does the cause of this great and As for the cultivation’s expansion, and their qualitative characteristics are
quite early expressed demand lay? does it keep getting bigger? better than expected. I think that the near
There are two reasons. First and fore- Yes, by big steps. The number speak on future is bright for these cultivars.



OCTOBER 2020



8 INTERVIEW









CLEARCHOS SARANTIDIS

DIRECTOR OF KAVALA COOP.




compared to last year for another, due to
the diseases that afflict the trees.

Let’s move on to our own data. What
does the new season predict for the
quantities of Kavala?
So far everything shows that this year
will be a good one. At the moment, the
harvest for the early variety Green Light
has started, while the first quantities of
the Tsehelidis variety will enter the pro-
duction in the beginning of October and are
expected to be slightly reduced this year
compared to last year.

As for Hayward, at what levels will
their production be in your area?
The hailstorms that occurred in our ar-
ea affected a small percentage of the total
production. What we are seeing so far is a
local barrenness. However, this year’s siz-
es will be much larger than last year and
if everything goes as planned, the harvest
“IT WILL BE A GOOD YEAR will begin in mid-October.

FOR THE GREEK KIWIFRUITS” A comment on the outcome of the
commercial season?
I think it will be a year of intense demand
but also with good prices for the produc-
The large sizes of kiwis will be the main characteristic of the new er. Chile’s minimal stocks, combined with
season in the production center of Kavala, according to Mr. Klear- Italy’s limited quantities, will boost Greek
quantities, with Greek kiwi gaining ground
chos Sarantidis, Director of Kavala Coop, which expects a smooth in the markets this year from the start of
productive and commercial year. the season.



Mr. Sarantidis, kiwifruit is one of the What is the reason for the decline of
products that is gaining ground in re- the Italian kiwi in the last two years? Info
cent years. Will it continue this upward The decline in kiwifruit production in the
trend this season? neighboring country is due to a number of Production in Kavala:
Kiwi has “taken over” the last two seasons, factors such as weather conditions, plant Slightly reduced
a fact that can be seen both from the prices diseases, and the shift of a large portion of Harvest starts: October 15
of the product and from the great demand growers to yellow and red varieties. Markets: Greek kiwifruit to gain
from the domestic and foreign markets. Apart ground in markets due to declining
from the high quality characteristics that dis- How is the situation this year in the Italian production and limited
tinguish our domestic quantities, a key reason neighboring country? Chilean stocks
that has led to the recovery of Greek kiwi is According to my information, the Ital-
the fall of the corresponding Italian kiwi. ian production of kiwi is once more reduced


OCTOBER 2020



10 INTERVIEW








“GREAT INCREASE


FOR THE SUNGOLD KIWIFRUIT

VOLUME IN THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE”





Nele Moorthamers, Zespri Acting General Manager Europe com-
ments for Froutonea about the transition of Zespri from the South-
ern to the Northern Hemisphere’s kiwifruit season.


NELE MOORTHAMERS supply season, our Northern Hemisphere five-year plan. Our core European grow-
promotional campaigns will be focused on ing regions continue to be Italy and France
ZESPRI ACTING making sure we have a strong and smooth but to meet the rapid increase in forecast-
GENERAL MANAFER EUROPE finish to the season and transitioning to ed demand, Zespri is looking at options to
our Northern Hemisphere grown fruit. Fruit increase the number of growing locations,
grown in the Northern Hemisphere is a potentially in Greece and North America,
critical part of our commitment to provid- and will also continue to expand produc-
ing our premium-quality kiwifruit for all 12 tion in existing locations, like Japan and
Mrs. Moorthamers, what’s the demand months of the year and European grow- South Korea.
for New Zealand kiwifruits in Europe ers are currently in pre-harvest mode. This
at the moment and what portion of the year we’re expecting to see close to a 30% Finally, the whole world is facing the
market do the green and the yellow ki- increase in SunGold volumes and larg- pandemic and we have seen many
wis concentrate? er fruit than last year, thanks to new or- market changes, both positive and
We’re continuing to see strong demand chards coming into production and favor- negative, occurring in the international
in Europe where this year we had our ear- able weather conditions during the critical trade of fruits and vegetables. What’s
liest ever sales start. Consumers are in- pollination period. Our Green kiwifruit vol- the feeling for the upcoming months?
creasingly looking for fresh, healthy fruit ume is expected to remain stable com- This year has been challenging and our
rich in Vitamin C like our Zespri Kiwifruit pared to last year. focus has, and continues to be, on protect-
and so far this season we have supplied 17 ing our people and delivering this season’s
million trays of Zespri SunGold and 21 mil- Your declared goal is to reach the crop to our customers and consumers
lion trays of Green to our European con- 5.000 hectares for your Sungold ki- around the world. Despite the challeng-
sumers. wis at the Northern Hemisphere in the es, consumer demand for fruits rich in Vi-
next 4-5 years. At which countries will tamin C remains strong and our market-
When will the exports from New Zea- take place these plantations? ing programmes are certainly emphasising
land finish and when will the harvest With 3,340 hectares of SunGold current- the health attributes of our kiwifruit. With
from the European orchards begin? Is ly planted, we expect non- consumers spending more time at home
there any forecast about the Zespri’s New Zealand Supply and online, online advertising and on-
European production volume and volumes will grow line grocery shopping are remaining
quality? strongly over the strong, although traffic in tradition-
The 2020 New Zealand kiwifruit har- course of our al retailers is starting to return to
vest is now complete, with all of this sea- normal as restrictions are easing
son’s New Zealand-grown fruit picked and in some markets. This year we’ve
packed. As of early September, we’ve de- adapted many of our marketing
livered more than 109.1 million trays of plans so that more of our market-
Zespri Kiwifruit, or around 70 percent ing spend is on in-home media, as
of this season’s crop, which is 6.8 mil- well as digital and social media ad-
lion trays ahead of same time last year. vertising, and we expect this trend
As we near the end of our New Zealand to continue.



OCTOBER 2020



12 PRODUCTS








ÒAvocados




THE PRODUCTION VOLUME STANDS AT LAST YEAR’S LEVELS




This time of year, every year the interest of producers in Chania is focused on oranges. This season
what concerns the producers of this region is the commercial trade of avocado. In the following
pages we are publishing articles report about the new avocado season that starts in a few weeks.

























We are going through the second half of minimum organoleptic characteristics re-
September and the first information about quired to be harvested and will reach the
the new avocado season starts to reach markets in mid-October. Of course, some
us. According to this information, the pro- traders are in a hurry to harvest the fruits
duction volume of this dynamic product and they have already started harvest-
will be around last year’s levels, with may- The demand for avocados is ing and distributing the product. Note here
be a slight increase. that at this time the avocado fruits have
This development is due to the fact that high at the moment and not reached the proper brix levels and sim-
in many areas the trees were affected by it is estimated that the good ply any consumer who buys them will be
the heat of May, while there are areas dissatisfied and maybe not buy them again.
where there is no fruit at all. commercial course that In order to avoid such phenomena, the
Close to this fact we must also add that traders in Chania suggest that the authori-
in recent years many problems have be- the product had last year will ties must set a date for the start of the av-
gun, resulting in the loss of many “old” be repeated this year. ocado harvest, as it has been done with ki-
trees and much more of are weaker this wis.
season. Thus, despite the huge number of So it seems that producer
avocados planted in the last 10 years in prices will stand at last year’s The commercial season
Chania, the volume of production cannot The demand for avocados is high at the
be set at high levels, as trees are planted, high levels moment and it is estimated that the good
but at the same time we have significant commercial course that the product had
losses in the number of plants. last year will be repeated this year as well.
In other words, producer prices will stand
The harvest at last year’s high levels. Of course, in or-
Regarding the beginning of the harvest, der to avoid «unpleasant surprises», trad-
it is estimated that the fruits will have the ers must be very careful with the quality



OCTOBER 2020

of the fruit, especially when avocados are
sent to European markets and at the same Why doesn’t the avocado
time be informed about the developments
in international markets. We mention this, production volume increase?
because most traders in the area of Chania
have made lots of marketing mistakes over Lots of professionals in the area of Chania wonder about what goes
the last years. wrong and the trees do not have the expected yields.
Avocado growers have been concerned about the low acreage yields.
The conclusion One of the reasons is the unsuitable soil, with the result that the trees
Based on what we mentioned above, we do not have the growth, and the yields they should have.
notice that the new season in avocados Another cause, according to what is said, is the
will not be much different from last year. mismanagement of the crop. More specifically not
The volume of production is the same, the all those cultivation cares have been done so
demand from the European markets is that the trees are planted properly and due
very good and what remains unclear is to the many rainfalls, that occurred in
the weather. We hope that this year recent years in Chania, the root of the
the region of Chania will have good trees has been ruined.
weather conditions, so that the avo-
cado sector will have another profitable
year.




















































OCTOBER 2020

14 INTERVIEW









“HIGH PRICES LEAD TO NEW PLANTINGS”



This year’s production of avocados per tree will be slightly reduced,
with large sizes dominating at the cultivating areas of Chania in Crete,
according to Mr. George Kornarakis, Sales Manager of Chania Coop.


sorbed by the domestic market, while ex-
ports to European countries will continue
with an increasing flow.

Will any variety stand out this year?
Last year was good One of the advantages of avocado is that
and ended positively for us. all varieties grown in Crete have excellent
quality characteristics and give quite good
GEORGE KORNARAKIS The prices for the large sizes prices to the producer. The Fuerte variety
will stand out in the Greek market this year
of avocados were set as well, while Hass variety making the dif-
SALES MANAGER at 2.70-2.80 euros / kg, with ference in the preferences of consumers
OF CHANIA COOP” abroad.
the demand being satisfying
Can you inform us about the recogni-
tion of the Cretan avocado as a PGI?
Mr. Kornarakis, the domestic produc- In the fall, the file will be submitted by
tion of avocados is linked to the region with Fuerte in November and Hass in Feb- the Region of Crete, in collaboration with
of Chania. Is there room for further ex- ruary. It will be a normal year, with good the Aristotle University, in order Avocado
pansion of cultivation in your county? weather conditions and we will try to keep of Crete becomes a member of the Pro-
The high prices of the product have led our prices at last year’s levels. tected Geographical Indication products.
to new plantings of avocado trees. So yes,
my answer to whether there is further Regarding organic avocados, what is Last but not least, would you like to
room for expansion of avocado cultivation the percentage they cover in the total add something else?
in the area of Chania is positive. production of your county? Yes, I would like to point out that ev-
The majority of our producers grow con- ery year we make a collective effort to in-
How did last season end for your co- ventional avocados. The share of those crease avocado production. Avocado is
operative? who have invested in organic is still very a product with a future for the producers
Last year was good and ended positive- small. Talking in numbers, out of 80 avo- of Chania. But in order to have these price
ly for us. The prices for the large sizes of cado producers of our cooperative, only 2 levels, all the necessary information mea-
avocados were set at 2.70-2.80 euros / kg, are organic farmers. Perhaps one of the sures will need to be taken. It is necessary
with the demand being satisfying. Partic- reasons for this fact is the reduced num- to have a specific plan, so that varieties
ularly positive was the fact that last year ber of pesticides used in avocado cultiva- are not planted uncontrollably. There must
the markets absorbed the double quanti- tions compared to other fruits. As a result, be a balance between early, mid-early and
ties of avocados, in comparison with the the consumer does not worry much about late varieties.
year before. This filled us with optimism the presence of pesticides in convention-
and hope for the new season. al avocados. How is this year’s production for
Maleme oranges evolving?
What are your first indications for this How will this year’s commercial sea- This year’s quantities of this variety will
season? son be for the product? Do you have be slightly reduced compared to last year
The high temperatures during flower- any concerns for the new season? and the fruit sizes will be larger. Again this
ing led to low production per tree, howev- The shift to quality nutrition has given season, our quantities will be available
er, the quality of our products will be quite avocados a high place in the preferences of in large S / M chains and several quanti-
good. We start the harvest with the Zuta- Greek consumers. As every year, this year a ties will be shipped to Denmark, Germany,
no variety in mid-October and continue large percentage of production will be ab- France and the Netherlands.


OCTOBER 2020

Creta taste




PACKAGING AND DISTRIBUTION OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS


Genuie Cretan

Products

Residue free products
Citrus glossed only with
natural bee wax








































ΣΧΕ∆ΙΑΣΜΟΣ ΓΙΩΡΓΟΣ ΒΕΡΓΟΥΛΙΑ∆ΗΣ






















Creta Taste S. A.
Agia, Chania, Crete | T. +30 28210 78 734 | F. +30 28210 78 637
[email protected] | www.cretataste.com

16 INTERVIEW






“PRODUCTION AND QUALITY


FOR CRETAN AVOCADO WILL RANGE


AT SATISFACTORY LEVELS”



Avocado producers and traders in the area of Chania will have a
season without surprises this year, according to Mr. George An-
tonakis, General Manager of Cooperative SA, who talks about the
steadily increasing expansion of cultivation in his area and also
refers to the problems that concern the industry.








GIORGOS ANTONAKIS

GENERAL DIRECTOR
OF SYNERGATIKI SA




Mr. Antonakis, are you satisfied with
the outcome of last year’s avocado
season?
The 2019-2020 season was a “medium”
year in terms of quantity, but it was very
satisfying as far as quality is concerned.
There were problems due to the weath-
er conditions, with the hail of February be-
ing more serious. Nevertheless, the quan-
tities were sufficient to meet the demand Were there any bacteria or weather
of the domestic market and the Balkans, damage this year?
but there is no possibility for exports to So far, extreme temperatures haven’t
major European markets, in Arabia, but al- been noted down, and as a result the culti-
so in Asia. vation of avocado has not faced any prob-
The 2019-2020 season lems so far. An exception was the heat of
Regarding the new season, what char- May which created some problems in flow-
acteristics do your first indications was a “medium” year ering in local plantations.
from the cultivations of Chania give it? in terms of quantity,
As every year, from mid-October and on- Do the plantings continue to expand in
wards we expect to start the harvest se- but it was very satisfying your area?
lectively from early areas (always guid- Yes, avocado plantations are still ex-
ed by the analysis of the brix levels that as far as quality is concerned panding and many people are now work-
certify the ripening of the fruit). However, ing and on it. But it is a product that needs
with the current data, the quantities and know-how and is difficult to cultivate.
the quality of the fruits are expected to be What we have achieved in Chania is to
quite satisfactory. have a very good quality, improving day by



OCTOBER 2020

day the cultivation methods. The increase
in production depends on an annual basis Closing the interview, do you have any
on the climatic conditions, which despite business news of your company that
the expansion of the plantations can re- you would like to share with us?
verse the projected increase in production. We as Cooperative SA, believing in the
Despite the serious efforts perspective of the product, invest in both
What is the percentage of organic av- of local government agencies, know-how and logistical infrastructure.
ocados in the total crop this year? Do The goal of our company is to maintain the
you find any differences with last year? an important problem high quality, to extend the time period of
Approximately the percentage of organ- marketing of Cretan avocados both in the
ic farming is 20 to 30% of the total crop, observed in recent years is domestic and in the foreign markets.
but the climate, soil and location of Crete
which are ideal for organic farming contrib- the early availability of the Would you like to address other issues
ute to upward trends in the near future. that concern your industry?
product in the Greek market. Despite the serious efforts of local gov-
What is your first impression of the ernment agencies, an important problem
product? Do you think the demand for observed in recent years is the early avail-
avocados will be good this year? ability of the product in the Greek market.
In recent years, the demand for avoca- As a result, it does not meet its quality cri-
dos has been steadily increasing both do- teria in brix levels and does not mature
mestically and abroad. We hope this will properly and thus the reputation of the
continue this year as well. Cretan avocado is unjustly ruined

18 PRODUCTS








DOUBLE-DIGIT GROWTH FOR THE MEXICAN EXPORTS VOLUME AND VALUE



The volume of the shipments rose by 11% and their value rose by 22%.


Great growth is registered for the Mex- around 964,000 tonnes were sent to the
ican avocado exports. Actually, Mexi- US, counting more than US$ 2.4bn, a new
co exported 1.272m tonnes of avocados record in both volume and value. Micho-
between July 2019 and June 2020, an in- acán, the only state that can enter the US
crease of 11 per cent on the previous year, market, saw a 7 per cent increase in pro-
while the value of shipments rose by 22 duction over the previous year and is set
per cent. According to El Economista, the to see a further rise in export volumes
figures confirm the double-digit growth for 2020/21. According to the US Depart-
trend seen over the previous two seasons. ment of Agriculture, “avocado demand in
Exports grew by 18.4 per cent in 2018 and the US remained strong despite Covid-19
10.7 per cent in 2019. pandemic challenges to agricultural crops
The majority of the Mexican avoca- and supply chains and is projected to in-
does is exported to US. During 2019/2020, crease”.


HIGHER VOLUME BUT LOWER PRICES FOR


THE PERUVIAN EXPORTS



Peruvian avocado volume recorded a high export numbers
this year, but the increased volume along with weaker de- WITH CITROSOL
mand had a negative consequences to the prices.
AK PALTAS UE
Shipments of Peruvian avocadoes
reached record levels in 2020, but AVOCADO GAINS
average prices fell 23%, according
to Peruvian consultancy Fresh Fruit. LONGER LIFE
According to it, shipments to the end
of August totalled 386,858 tonnes, More time for the trading of avocados
which represents an increase of 24% gives the new coating product Citro-
compared with the same period of sol AK Paltas UE, which was developed
2019, and higher than the 350,199 exclusively for the needs of avocados’
tonnes exported in 2018. post-harvest management. Thanks to
On the contrary, there were no
good news about the prices, that the new coating product, the restraint
of the drop in the internal quality of the
were well below last year’s level. fruits is achieved, which usually takes
Figures from Agrodata show that av- place during their transport or storage
erage prices this season reached US$1.85/kg, down 23% on the US$2.40/kg seen in cold rooms. Citrosol AK Paltas UE al-
last year. “Peru shipped more fruit than usual, expecting demand to respond and so reduces weight loss and retains the
grow at the same rate. However, the pandemic caused a decrease in income and a firmness of avocados, without affecting
contraction in consumption, affecting the price of the fruit,” Fresh Fruit noted. “Eu- the color change process that occurs
rope, the main importer of Peruvian avocado, was one of the most affected by the naturally as the fruit ripens.
excess volume, with prices here falling to US$1.78/kg.




OCTOBER 2020



20 PRODUCTS








ÒApples




PRICES ARE ALMOST AT LAST YEAR’S LEVELS




The trade agreements between the traders and the apple producers are almost completed, and it seems
that we do not have “surprises” in the prices as these, in most cases, were formed at last year’s levels.













































We are in the 38th week of the year with main productive areas of the country. of the apples will improve in the future.
the trade agreements between apple trad- However, what concerns the area for an-
ers and apple producers almost complet- Agia other year is the color of the fruits, which
ed, while next week the harvest will start The harvest in this area is in full swing, due to the high temperatures of Septem-
in almost all areas. What the apple sector and according to people from Agia, it will ber is not the desirable. Note here that
now wishes for is that there should be no be completed in a few days. The volume of due to the microclimate of the area, the
extreme weather events, so that the har- production is increased compared to last fruits cannot have the color, aromas and
vest can take place under the best possi- year while producer prices are around 30 be crunchy and tasty, like apples produced
ble conditions. But before we proceed to cents. Note here that many producers are at high altitude, and therefore the produc-
the assessment of the commercial course not happy with these prices and store the tion of Agia, is placed at a low quality level.
that the apples will have this year, let us apples on their own account in the refriger-
see how the situation has developed in the ators, hoping that the commercial course Kastoria



OCTOBER 2020

The most farms in the area of Kastoria timates to make about the demand, when
have already sold their crop, with produc- covid-19 hangs over people’s heads, while
er prices being at 40 cents. Regarding the new lockdowns are likely to apply in our
evolution of production, we do not have country, which if implemented will com-
any problems from the weather or oth- pletely disrupt the economy, but will sky-
er reasons and, thus, the conclusion that The producer prices did rocket demand for fresh fruit. Whatever
emerges is that the region of Kastoria will we say will be misplaced, so we will fol-
give us good apples this year. Note here not have large differences low the commercial development of ap-
that in some areas of Kastoria, some or- ples through our online publications, and
chards have been damaged by hail, or have compared to last year. we hope that everything will go well in
reduced production due to spring frosts. If we now take into account the end. What does not change, however,
However, this does not affect the overall is that our exports must increase, not on-
picture of the region in terms of the vol- the fact that this year the ly to Egypt but also to other destinations.
ume of production in Kastoria, which will I know it is not easy to find new destina-
be increased compared to last year by volume of production was tions, but nothing is impossible if there is a
about 20%. plan and perseverance.
significantly increased, T.O.
Arnissa-Zervi-Panagitsa then the income of the
The very good quality of apples that
this region has this year, resulted in trade producer stood this year
agreements between traders and produc-
ers to be formed around 45 cents. It should at higher levels than last
be noted that in these areas the produc-
tion volume is increased by 20% compared year. This is good news
to last year, and as we said there are no
serious quality problems that could affect
the absorption of apples.

Kozani Towers The green apples
As it has been the case in recent years,
so this year in Kozani Towers the high- The season for green apples
est producer prices were achieved. Spe- is developing very well
cifically, the axis around which the agree- Concluding in the area of Agia, where
ments were concluded is 55 cents, which So according to the data of the report, in this area the largest volume
balances the 60 cents for the good quali- we see that for another year the producer of green apples in our country
ty and the 50 cents maybe a little lower for prices were formed according to the qual- is produced. As for the volume
the low quality. The quality of the fruits is ity of the fruits, presenting a deviation of of production, according
very good, with good sizes and good color- about 10 minutes from category to cate- to people from Agia, it will be
ing. Damage from hail or other causes have gory. at last year’s levels, while
not been reported and all that remains is That is, for the low quality, the axis was for the quality of the fruits,
to have normal weather conditions in the 30 cents, for the medium 40 cents and for the same people mention
coming weeks when the harvest will take the superior quality 50-55 minutes. So we that this year the medium and
place. see that the producer prices did not have small sizes of the fruits will be
large differences compared to last year. If increased, as the weather
Zagora we now take into account the fact that this not was an ally for this crop this
This area, as we have said in previous re- year the volume of production was signifi- year.Regarding the commercial
ports, has been severely damaged by hail. cantly increased, then the income of the climate, no agreements have
However, since the largest volume of pro- producer stood this year at higher levels been made for this variety
duction is collected and distributed by the than last year. This is good news. yet, as the harvest is still late.
homonymous cooperative of the region, However, the discussions in the
we cannot refer to producer prices. What The commercial course commercial hangouts bet that
remains to be seen is how the crop will The deals are closed, the harvest is in the producer prices will be more
evolve, and what will be the percentage of full swing, and what remains to be seen or less at last year’s levels.
apples that have quality problems. is how demand will evolve. But what es-



OCTOBER 2020