FROUTONEA_UK_FEBRUARY22

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



ADVERTISED COMPANIES



COMPANY PAGE



ΜΕΝΕΛΑΟΣ 2ND COVER
ΤΕΧ 1
MSC 3 In this issue
FRESH POINT 5
VARVARESOS 9 Freskon returns in 12-14 May 2022!
SOULIS 11
KOLIOS 15 Oranges: The late Greek varieties enter the markets
HELLAGRO 18

Strawberries: Stable and normal harvest
for the Greek production



4 REPORTAGE





FRESKON TAKES PLACE


IN THESSALONIKI


ON MAY 12-14, 2022





International industry exhibitions may have made a dynamic comeback last fall after a two-year ab-
sence, but Covid-19 had other plans for the new year, with the latest developments on the coronavirus
“front” and the escalation of cases after the holidays cancelling the events of Agrotica and Freskon in
Thessaloniki.



etables sector for May 12-14 of 2022, in-
stead of the 7-9 April 2022, which was
scheduled. The organizers of the exhibi-
tion will be on constant alert regarding the
evolution of the cases, in order to formu-
late accordingly the program for the 6th
Freskon event.

The latest news
FRESKON is the focus of developments
in the fresh fruit and vegetable sector since
2015, constituting the largest meeting of
producers and groups of international re-
tail, as well as domestic and foreign traf-
fickers in Southeastern Europe. The nega-
tive climate that has been created again in
our country recently due to Covid-19 has
rioritizing the safety of participants created anxiety and concerns for the future
Pand respecting the concerns of indus- of the upcoming exhibitions. However, the
try professionals, the two exhibitions re- organizers of Freskon assure us that since
cently announced the postponement of the first international exhibitions in the in-
events and new dates. dustry were organized with great success,
The date of the 29th International Ex- Freskon has a significant nothing will stop the work of the interna-
hibition of Agricultural Machinery, Equip- tional exhibition in the co-capital, which
ment and Supplies “Agrotica” was first an- advantage: it will take place has a significant advantage that it will be
nounced, which will be held, according to in spring, when cases are held in the spring, when cases are pre-
an official announcement of the organizer dicted to have stabilized. For our part, af-
TIF-Helexpo on October 20-23, 2022, in- expected to have stabilized ter communication with the speakers of
stead of January 27-30, as it was original- the international apple conference and the
ly scheduled. The organizers of the exhibi- S / M chains of FreshCon Market, we are
tion put above all the protection of public pleased to convey to you the interest and
health and safety of its exhibitors, visitors willingness of most speakers from abroad
and collaborators, which are the key fac- to travel to our country and participate
tors for the success of the exhibition. in the above events next May, with their
Agrotica’s decision to be postponed due “passport” the certificate of their full vac-
to coronavirus was followed by Freskon, cination. Thus, the Milos International Con-
which after contacting the exhibitors and ference will take place on the first day of
trade visitors, renews its exhibition “ap- the exhibition on May 12 and the FreshCon
pointment” with the fresh fruits and veg- Market on May 13-14.



FEBRUARY 2022



6 PRODUCTS






ÒOranges





LOW DEMAND IN JANUARY



The demand for oranges has been low so far, with the export volume having a negative sign until
the first week of the year compared to the same period last year. Will the situation be reversed
with in February or will it be the same as well in the middle and late varieties?


oranges is largely due to the great pres-
sure currently exerted by the Spanish on
the markets of Western Europe, but al-
so by the Turks on «our» markets, name-
ly those in the Balkans. Of course, close to
these reasons we must add the fact that in
these first months of marketing of the new
citrus season, consumers prefer mandarins
of the Clementine variety and oranges are
their second choice.
The situation
According to the data of the Ministry of
Finance, by the first week of the year the
export volume of oranges had reached
92,793 tons, compared to 100,920 tons in
the corresponding period last year, ie re-
duced by 8.1%. However, this reduction
does not cause any particular concern for
the citrus sector as the volume of produc-
tion is reduced this year, especially in the
Navalina variety. In fact, the largest vol-
ume of production in Navalines in Western
Greece has already been collected, while
the harvest in the Merlin variety in these
areas is close to completion. Now the un-
available volume in the winter varieties is
still at high levels in Argolida and Laconia.

We are going through the 2nd week of In these first months
the year and the demand for oranges has The next period
been low so far, causing a big decline in of January, consumers As everything shows, our country’s ex-
producer prices, which is below cost. Spe- prefer mandarins port needs for the whole of February will
be covered by the Merlin variety, although
cifically, this week, the prices for the Mer-
lin variety in Argos reach 0,20 cents per car, of the Clementine variety, we are in the middle of winter and no one
which means that the producer price is be- while oranges are their is sure what the effects of the weather will
low 0,15 cents. be on the suspended production.
However, from mid-February, it is ex-
Regarding producer prices for the Nava- second choice
lina variety, they differ from region to re- pected that a portion of traders will start
harvesting the Lane Late variety, although
gion and depending on the quality range
from 20-25 cents per tree. Valid trade cir- this variety will not have acquired the ap-
propriate organoleptic characteristics
cles state that the low demand for Greek
during this period.

FEBRUARY 2022

IT’S TIME FOR THE LATE VARIETIES



The harvest of the Lane Late variety starts in February and during the next months the late va-
rieties will coexist in the market together with the winter ones. Of course, the demand always
remains to increase the demand ...


focus of exports in February and March.
Regarding the volume of production, it will
be increased by at least 15% compared to
last year and what I have to clarify is the
producer price, although everything shows
that it will be more or less at last year’s
levels. However, this remains to be seen in
practice, as this season has different char-
acteristics from last year.
Finally, let us also say that based on
the plantings that have been done in Eto-
loakarnania, from 2025 onwards the vol-
ume of production in this area may exceed
150,000 tons, thus changing the status
quo in the citrus of our country.

Increased production in Valencia
The information from Laconia states
The harvest of the Merlin variety may The quality of the fruits that this year the volume of production
still be at a high level, but many traders So far no problems have been reported in Valencia will be increased compared to
are already looking at the evolution of the in the development of fruit quality, and the last year and that the quality of the fruits
quality of the Lane Late variety, whose only fear is that it may be damaged by the looks excellent. However, there are still
harvest will begin in February. low temperatures that may occur in the many weeks until the harvest begins and
The largest volume of this variety is lo- near future. As for the fruit sizes, they are during this time they can come up and
cated in Etoloakarnania, as in recent years good and as traders claim large calibres down. It should be noted here that in the
many Lane Late trees have been planted are superior this year. 2021 season, despite the reduced volume
there and, as it seems, the same will hap- Note that Lane Late produces a few of production of this variety, there was no
pen this year. Thus, every year many new junk fruits and is the «joy» of the packer, smooth rate of absorption and the situa-
properties are put into production and as but some markets, especially the Balkan tion improved only in the summer, when
a result the volume of production is con- ones do not liket this variety and prefer tourism opened. You see, in recent years
stantly increasing. Navalines and Merlin. the Egyptian Valencia is offered at very
Note here that, apart from Etoloakarna- low prices and thus dominates the months
nia, many areas with Lane Late have been Marketing of April and May, reducing the commercial
developed in Ilia and in the area of Skala With the arrival of February, the Lane time of our production. A detailed report
Laconia, while in Argolida the Lane Late Late harvest will have gained a good pace on the new season in Valencia will be pub-
are less compared to the above areas. in Etoloakarnania, as this region will be the lished in the March issue.



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FEBRUARY 2022

8 PRODUCTS






ÒMandarins




IT WAS A GOOD YEAR FOR CLEMENTINES AND NOVA



The season for the popular varieties Clementine and Nova, is essentially over and what is left to pro-
ducers and traffickers is a small smile.

The quantities that have not yet been some cases, towards the end of the sea- years. This is because many trees in the
harvested in the Clementine variety are son, where in some estates with very area of Skala in Lakonia have been de-
now few and these few quantities that good fruits the producer prices reached stroyed by diseases, while at the same
are still unavailable will cover the needs 70 cents per euro. time many producers in the area have
of the domestic market in the near fu- Regarding the Nova variety now, it al- restructured this variety. Of course, it
ture. However, exporters have stopped so had a good season, with producer is not only the Ortanique that will be
marketing this variety and, according to prices reaching 30-35 cents per euro on present in February, but there are also
the merchants, what characterized this tree, while at this time of the year the a small amount of the Page and Afour-
season in mandarins is the smooth pace Nova variety is over as well. er varieties. However, these quantities
of supply and this happened due to the are minimal and do not have a significant
fact that the farm workers were few this The next period production volume so that they can find
year and so the harvest was done at a The variety that now comes at the a place on the shelves of large chains.
low rate. So the shortage of land work- stage is Ortanique and the first informa- Late mandarin varieties are a bet for the
ers also had its benefits. As for the pro- tion that reaches our office says that the citrus industry, as long as we first clarify
ducer prices, they were at higher lev- volume of production in this variety is re- which varieties we will grow and where
els than last year, while there were also duced this year compared to previous will we do it.











































FEBRUARY 2022



10 INTERVIEW






“GREEK CITRUS NEED A BRAND IN


ORDER GAIN NEW MARKETS IN GERMANY”



The German citrus market, as well as the position occupied by the
Greek citrus in it describes to Froutonea Mr. Theo Hatzivasiliadis,
owner of the import company Hans Kuffer, based in the vegetable
market of Munich.


thus, buy and cook more.
Finally, as far as the supply chain is con-
cerned, it functions without any problems
and the receipt from all the countries and
the delivery of the products are done with-
THEO HATZIVASILIADIS in the planned schedule.

OWNER OF HANS KUFFER How does the Germans treat Greek
COMPANY oranges and mandarins compared to
the rest? What do Greek citrus grow-
ers and exporters need to improve or
Mr. Hatzivasiliadis, as an importer change in order to increase their share
based in the Munich Vegetable Market, in the German market?
how do you see the market for orang- Greek citrus fruits, although they do
es being shaped this year? not lag behind in taste and quality com-
First of all, the dominance of the Span- pared to Spanish ones, have been regis-
ish product is a fact. The feature that tered in the minds of German consumers
stands out this year is the very limited cir- as cheap products and, consequently, buy-
culation of small oranges due to the reduc- The feature that stands out ers treat them with this logic when compil-
tion of the activity of the HO.RE.CA sec- ing the content of their supplies. Greek cit-
tor due to the pandemic. The distribution this year is the very limited rus comes second along with Italian, after
of small oranges, i.e. those intended for circulation of small oranges Spanish. Spanish citrus dominates not only
squeezing juices has dropped by up to 5/6. in terms of sales volume, but also in terms
It is characteristic, after all, that while the due to the reduction of the of gaining the best prices. This, in addition
restaurants in the airport of Munich bought activity of the HO.RE.CA to the very large Spanish production, is be-
5 tons per day to meet their needs, with cause the German market prefers to buy on
the new data they buy almost nothing. sector as consequence the one hand brands that have associated
to the pandemic their name with the offer of quality prod-
As far as mandarins are concerned, uct and on the other hand branded variet-
what interest is shown by the German ies of citrus fruits with consistent quality
market and the Munich importers? and characteristics. In citrus fruits at least,
The increase in German demand for man- then, the Spaniards offer both.
darins begins in December, as until then Is this reflected in the price of products
people prefer grapes. Until now, clemen- imported into the German market? What other products does your com-
tines were in circulation and the distribu- Also, are there any problems of any pany import from Greece?
tion of Spanish products was predominant. kind in the supply chain? In addition to citrus fruits, we import and
Now, we are at the first phase the period of The purchase prices of citrus fruits are distribute in the German market all sea-
late varieties, while good varieties, such as the same and supermarkets do not pay sonal Greek products, such as strawber-
Orri, are monopolizing the market interest anything more. In general, the consump- ries, kiwis, stone fruits, vegetables and as-
and gathering the best prices. tion lost by the HO.RE.CA. was regained paragus. Especially in asparagus, we are
by supermarkets, as due to the pandem- the largest distributor of Greek product in
Production costs have risen this year. ic, people prefer to sit more at home and, the German market.



FEBRUARY 2022



12 INTERVIEW







“THE STRAWBERRY PRODUCTION


GOES ON STABLE AND NORMAL”



Mr. Dimitris Taktikos, owner of the company Taktikos S,A. de-
scribes in Frutonea the current picture of the strawberry market
and explains how the production situation will evolve.










DIMITRIS TAKTIKOS

OWNER OF TAKTIKOS S.A.



Mr. Tactikos, how does the growth
of strawberry plants evolve after the
Christmas period?
The weather that has prevailed from the
beginning of 2022 until the first ten days of
January is quite good and there is nothing
that affects the growth of plants and fruits.
Therefore, the productivity of our crops is
normal. Maybe a little lower than last year, to approximately 55 tons.
but definitely at perfectly normal levels for
the season. How has the producer price been
formed so far?
What varieties are currently being har- The prices we receive for strawberries
vested and what is their production The variety that is in the are generally one euro higher than those
volume? most productive phase is the of the previous season, while according
The variety that is in the most produc- to the latest data, in the first ten days of
tive phase is the fortuna. However, it is not fortuna. However, it is not yet February, the average producer price was
yet at the peak of its productivity either. By at the peak of its productivity three euros per kilo.
mid-January it yielded 1.700 kg per Ha per either. By mid-January
week, by mid-February its productivity will The big issue of the year is the lack
reach 2.500 kg per Ha per week, while from it yielded 1.700 kg per Ha of workers? How the situation at the
that point on it will yield even more fruits. moment is and what do you think will
per week, by mid-February happen in the rest of the season?
How is the production of the victory its productivity will reach Up to this phase of the season, “we
variety going at the moment? 2.500 kg per Ha per week, have and we do not have” the necessary
The production that producers get from workers. Certainly, if the current situation
this variety is very small in January. From while from that point on continues the same and later in the sea-
February it will slowly start to rise, giving it will yield even more fruits son, when the need for labor increases,
towards the end of that month 3.000-4.000 then there will be a problem. But I think
kg per Ha. Generally from March, where we that by March enough labor force will have
enter the high season of strawberry, the been released from the citrus work and the
productivity of the area per Ha will amount strawberry will be harvested normally.



FEBRUARY 2022

“WE ENTER THE SECOND HALF OF


THE SEASON WITH SELECTED VARIETIES


AND SUFFICIENCY OF QUANTITIES”




The supply chain’s dreaded operation requires careful monitor-
ing in order to deal with unforeseen developments immediately,
which could lead to an increase in product costs, Klaus Hölzl,
VOG’s sales manager, told Froutonea.



about 32,000 tons.
The organic assortment is also vast and
KLAUS HÖLZL allows for commercialization that spans
the entire year: several varieties that were
SALES MANAGER introduced thanks to the consortium’s
OF VOG SALES MANAGER OF VOG strategy of varietal innovation and which
are also very suitable for organic produc-
tion have a naturally long preservability. In
addition to Giga®, Cosmic Crisp® and Red-
At which level do the stocks of VOG´s Pop® apples, which we launched in Janu-
apples stand compared to last year? ary 2021, the main organic apple brands Finally, the pandemic situation has un-
Are there any varieties that have al- are Marlene Bio® and BioSüdtirol: these doubtedly caused a significant increase in
ready run out or varieties with few brands now have a loyal audience and in- the complexity of exports. The procedures
tones that remain to be sold? tegrate well with the apples and integrat- related to transportation (safety proto-
As regards to stock, the situation this ed production brands that characterize our cols, health checks, etc.) have multiplied
year is very similar to that of last year. We overall offer. and in turn the logistic times have length-
are in line with the same period last sea- ened.
son for what concerns sales plans as well. How much has the production and the
For what concerns apple availability, we transfer costs for the Italian apples What’s the production volume of VOG
can guarantee commercialization that cov- been increased? Is it more difficult for for the Giga, RedPop και Cosmic Crisp
ers 12 months in a year. This is possible the markets to absorb this elevated apples and what’s your plan about
both thanks to our complete assortment, cost of the fruits? Is there any reduc- the commercialization of these fruits
which offers the right apple for every mo- tion of consumption at least in specific during this season? Will they be direct-
ment of the year with apples suitable for markets? ed to specific markets?
the first half of the season and apples for The greatest difficulty we face in non-EU Giga®, RedPop® and Cosmic Crisp® are
the second half of the season, and thanks markets is that of transportation, due to three apples that cover the second part
to our sales schedule. the limited availability of containers. From of the season thanks to their extraordi-
Furthermore, since our season starts in a logistical point of view, the situation is nary preservability. In 2022 they are ready
August and ends in July, we are now in full delicate and needs to be monitored care- to debut with larger quantities and a more
season and thus there is maximum avail- fully, as it could create problems for the intense presence both in Italy and in the
ability of single varieties, which boast an entire sector and repercussions on costs. main European markets.
excellent natural preservability. Nevertheless, sales continue to perform The new apples will also be produced
well in these countries. according both to the rules of integrat-
Will VOG have enough organic apples The pandemic situation has added an- ed production and the organic regime. All
till the new harvest or the stocks will other challenge, related to the search for three of these new apples are being tested
run out earlier? workforce. In fact, it has increasingly be- in trial batches in wholesale markets and
In recent years, the organic production come more difficult to find collaborators large-scale distribution brands in some
of the VOG consortium has grown steadi- who can reach us to help us in the summer European countries and are receiving ex-
ly. We have now reached a production of months which are the busiest. cellent feedback.


FEBRUARY 2022

14 PRODUCTS







WAPA
WAPA RELEASES THI FIRST APPLE


AND PEAR STOCK FIGURES OF THE SEASON


WAPA, the World Apple and Pear Association, released the first apple and pear stock figures of the
season. The figures show that in Europe apple stocks increased by 6,8% compared to 2020 to reach
4,917,891 T, while pear stocks decreased by 27% to 656,438 T. In the USA, apple stocks as of 1 De-
cember 2021 stood at 1,909,045 T (-2,6% compared to 2020), while pear stocks reached 224,278 T
(21,6% above 2020). WAPA will continue to publish the monthly stock figures on its website and
social media channels for the rest of the season.

WAPA, the World Apple and Pear Association, collects every
month the stock figures for apples and pears from Europe and
the United States. WAPA can reveal that European apple stocks
stood at 4,917,891 T as of 1 December 2021, which is 6,8% above
the figure of 2020, which reflects the 11% increase in the crop.
On the other hand, pear stocks stood at 656,438 T on 1 Decem-
ber 2021, 27% below the volume of 2020, mostly because of the
large decrease in Italy. In Europe, the final pear crop is 26% lower
than a year ago. For the USA, apple stocks in December stand at
1,909,045 T, down 2,6% compared to 2020. This level is reflect-
ing the lower crop in Washington States this year, which stands
at just below 3.000,000 T, 4% less than last year. Pears stocks
in the USA stand at 224,278 T, which is 21,6% above last year.
Starting from January 2022, the stocks will be made public on a
monthly basis. WAPA will release the stocks level from the 1st
of January 2022 at the beginning of February. These figures will
be made public on the WAPA website.




APPLE STOCKS PER COUNTRY (t) PEAR STOCKS PER COUNTRY (t)

Country %2021/ 2020 01/12/21 01/12/20 01/12/19 Country %2021/ 2020 01/12/21 01/12/20 01/12/19
Austria (Steiermark) 5,1% 97.808 93.105 97.417 Belgium -10,6% 249.449 279.087 213.675
Belgium 83,4% 168.195 91.733 171.317 Czech Republic -45,5% 1.954 3.587 3.292
Czech Republic -3,8% 52.863 54.977 40.703 Denmark 3,4% 121 117 214
Denmark 66,5% 11.114 6.675 9.166 France -44,3% 9.643 17.314 14.566
France 6,9% 695.418 650.624 783.522 Germany 27,0% 6.292 4.953 5.376
Germany 3,6% 351.306 338.942 343.034 Italy -74,9% 55.449 220.937 108.492
Italy -0,6% 1.355.857 1.364.135 1.349.020 Poland 13,9% 41.000 36.000 18.000
Poland 5,9% 1.695.000 1.600.000 1.127.000 Spain (Catalon) -8,2% 64.505 70.267 79.333
Spain (Catalon) 41,6% 258.783 182.739 297.163 Switzerland -30,8% 6.931 10.016 10.887
Switzerland -0,3% 63.888 64.111 61.830 Holland -14,0% 221.094 257.000 228.000
Holland 6,8% 167.660 157.000 195.000 Total -27,0% 656.438 899.278 681.835
Total 6,8% 4.917.891 4.604.040 4.475.172





FEBRUARY 2022

APPLES STOCKS PER VARIETY (t)

Variety %2021/ 2020 01/12/21 01/12/20 01/12/19

AAnnurca 0,0% 25.000 25.000 25.000
Boskoop 60,6% 28.946 18.029 20.335
Braeburn -4,3% 118.750 124.035 144.483
Cox Orange 111,4% 260 123 534
Cripps Pink -8,7% 192.748 211.188 209.779
Elstar 15,0% 148.388 129.006 167.299
Fuji -2,5% 163.173 167.443 177.379
Gala 16,7% 583.823 500.308 493.023
Gloster 18,1% 90.303 76.431 80.356
Golden Delicious 20,4% 1.173.252 974.408 1.173.279
Granny Smith -7,8% 184.986 200.701 180.209
Holsteiner Cox -25,8% 2.299 3.098 4.363
Idared 21,0% 328.167 271.212 228.528
Jonagold 22,0% 297.686 243.953 267.979
Jonagored 19,0% 56.554 47.509 73.208
Morgendurf/imperat -19,9% 16.497 20.586 22.074
Pinova 13,0% 100.295 88.795 57.628
Red Delicious -4,7% 217.028 227.843 221.822
Red Jonaprince 18,1% 282.117 238.780 211.891
Reinette -13,7% 36.900 42.749 33.836
Shampion -16,5% 144.096 172.645 152.074
Spartan -90,0% 32 319 102
Other new varieties* 5,6% 149.030 141.120 139.700
Other varieties -14,9% 577.560 678.760 390.291
Total 6,8% 4.917.891 4.604.040 4.475.172


*Ariane, Belgica, Cameo, Choupette, Diwa, Evelina, Greenstar,
Goldrush, Honey Crunch, Jazz, Junami, Kanzi, Kiku, Mairac,
Rubens, Tentation (Τemptation), Wellant



PEAR STOCKS PER VARIETY (T)

Variety %2021/ 2020 01/12/21 01/12/20 01/12/19

Abate Fetel -85,0% 18.507 123.604 57.061
Alexandrina -51,9% 1.976 4.106 5.554
Blanquilla -61,8% 2.950 7.727 6.609
Conference -10,2% 535.861 596.768 494.065
Doyenne du comice -47,2% 17.229 32.638 22.248
Kaiser -80,0% 5.142 25.656 8.438
Other varieties -31,3% 74.772 108.779 87.859
Total -27,0% 656.438 899.278 681.835

16 PRODUCTS







ÒNuts





ALMOND & WALNUT RANK FIRST AT PLANTATIONS OF NUTS



The sales of nuts have proven to be particularly resilient in the Greek market in the last decade.


Nut
Walnut production is increasing in
Greece, with plantings expanding main-
ly in the semi-mountainous regions of the
Peloponnese and Macedonia and the Cali-
fornian Chandler variety leading the way in
domestic cultivation.
According to ELSTAT data, Greece
comes third in walnut production in the
European Union, after France and Italy,
with its production volume reaching ap-
proximately 20-25,000 tons on an annu-
al basis. Walnut cultivation in our country
exceeds 100,000 acres and spreads to al-
most all geographical regions of Greece,
with the majority of quantities being pro-
duced in the Peloponnese, Macedonia,
Central Greece and Thessaly. More specifi-
cally, the regions of Achaia, Arcadia, Koza-
ni, Trikala, Larissa and Evia, produce the
The shift of consumers to a healthy diet, focus on those that come from tree crops largest quantities of walnuts.
the integration of nuts in cooking and con- and have seen an increase in their plant-
fectionery, as well as the increasing num- ings lately, such as almond, walnut and Hazel
ber of people who choose to have fun at hazelnut. In previous decades, Greek hazelnut
home are three main reasons that increase production was dominant in several areas:
sales in almost all their categories. Almond Katerini, Drama, Komotini, Kavala, Pella,
The demand for nuts is influenced by Almond is a product that has gained Imathia. Gradually, however, it began to be
many factors, with the predominance of ground in recent years, mainly in the ter- abandoned and today it is felt mainly in the
seasonality. As is well known, there is ritories of Northern Greece, as a large por- area of Pieria and Komotini.
an increase in consumption in the winter tion of producers have invested in this Regarding the hazelnut varieties, in our
months mainly due to the holidays, while product. The bad course of the peach - a country we produce hazelnuts based on
their sales are limited during the sum- product that was once the king of nuts in varieties that came from Turkey almost a
mer. In addition, their consumption is com- the production centers of Northern Greece hundred years ago, with the main ones be-
bined with the corresponding consump- - led to the restructuring of this crop, with ing Sivri Yagli, Extra Yagli and Palaz. In ad-
tion of other foods. More specifically, the several producers turning to almonds. As a dition, there are varieties from Italy (Tonda
industries involved in the production of ice result, its plantings are constantly grow- delle Langhe, Tonda Romana, Mortarel-
cream, croissants, chocolate, cereals, etc., ing and the future course of the almond is la etc.), from Spain (Negret etc.) and from
are among the main customers in the nuts very promising, in terms of the near future. France.
sector. They have acquired an important Regarding the production centers in which Finally, the points that a producer who
share in cooking, as they are an integral most almond plantations are observed, will deal with the cultivation of hazelnut
part of many recipes, in which they give a these are Thessaly, Imathia, Pieria, Koza- must pay attention to are the careful se-
special taste and always make their cre- ni and Kavala, with the nurseries empha- lection of the propagating material, as well
ators white-faced. sizing that this is a crop that is gradual- as the correct design with dispersion of the
There are many nuts, however we will ly spreading to areas of Southern Greece. appropriate pollinators.



FEBRUARY 2022

“WITH TODAY’S DATA, THE CRETAN


PEPPERS HAVE REACHED THEIR


MAXIMUM COMMERCIAL POTENTIALITY”



Mr. Lambros Pervolarakis, owner of the export company L. Pervo-
larakis S.A., explains to Froutonea the reasons why Cretan peppers
cannot count important steps for further expansion of their pres-
ence in the markets.


circulation on the market. Especially the
red peppers from Morocco are very popu-
LAMPROS PERVOLARAKIS lar. Our peppers have only a complemen-
tary role in the markets I mention to you.
OWNER OF L. PERVOLARAKIS S.A.
How could Crete further increase its
shares in the pepper market that is al-
ready active or open new ones? Maybe
it would be worthwhile to deal with tri-
color peppers as well?
Mr. Pervolarakis, which types of pep- With the current data of production, i.e.
pers are mostly exported from Crete with the existing acres, the small size of
and how are they categorized in terms the estates and the problematic availabil-
of price? ity of labor force, I believe that the Cretan
Hungarian peppers, the “horn” type and pepper has reached the ceiling of its com-
the Florina peppers are the three types of mercial circulation. It cannot catch a signifi-
peppers with the largest exports, while cantly larger number of customers abroad.
their main markets are Austria, Slovakia, All vegetables, not just peppers, have
Germany and the Czech Republic. The mar- found their markets and the ratio be-
kets of Serbia and Bulgaria are also worth tween vegetables planted in greenhouses
mentioning, although that they absorb in Crete cannot change significantly, i.e. to
comparatively smaller quantities. Cretan vegetables have see large increases or decreases in a veg-
In terms of prices, let me first note that found their markets and the etable, as long as the above data do not
this year is the first season in two decades change.
that Florina pepper loses the first place. ratio between their plantings So the mass cultivation of tricolor pep-
The Cretan peppers of Florina are under a cannot change significantly, pers cannot be done without cutting a sig-
lot of pressure to compete with the pep- as long as the cultivated nificant share of land from other products.
pers of Turkish and Moroccan origin and However, this does not benefit the produc-
their price was lowered considerably. The acres are not increased, ers of Crete, who generally have a small
best prices for the farmers come from the the estates do not get estates. Thus, tricolor peppers in Crete
Hungarian pepper and then the “horn” pep- have received a very limited area and for
per. bigger and there are not this reason the producer price at 1.50 eu-
ros per kilo they receive, makes it com-
enough workers
What other types of peppers are con- pletely impossible to stand in competition
sumed massively in the Central Euro- with Spanish peppers of the same species,
pean markets you mentioned? which pay the producer 0.90 euros per ki-
The tricolors, green, yellow or orange lo. Therefore, we are talking about a prod-
and red California peppers from Spain and uct that is being addressed only to the in-
Morocco, are the ones that are in greater ternal market.



FEBRUARY 2022