FROUTONEA_UK_DECEMBER20

Kefalinias 6 | 183 45 Moschato
Athens - Greece
Τ +30 210 4812212
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www.froutonea.gr

Ownership
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


PLASTIKA KRITIS 2ND COVER
TEX 1
MSC 3 In this issue
SOURSOS 9
KOLIOS 11
MENELAOS 13 Oranges: Difficult to start due to the small sizes
TACTIKOS 15
HELLAGRO BACKCOVER Kiwis: Production reduced
by 30%, in comparison with last season


Garden Vegetables: Trying to cope with covid 19



4 PRODUCTS









ÒOranges




DIFFICULT TO START DUE TO THE SMALL SIZES!



The new season of oranges started with difficulties, as the small sizes were very large during
this period - something that seems to be corrected as the season progresses and more estates
will be ready for harvest.


The adaptation
Everything we described happened in
the first ten days of November. But enter-
ing the second ten-day period, the oranges
at more and more estates are slowly ma-
turing - so the Traders have more options
and they can choose those estates that
will be able to work, while Producer pric-
es will have started to fall to levels below
30 cents.
This price change, as well as the natu-
ral ripening of the fruits, will put more and
more packaging plants into operation - and
so by the end of this month, the new sea-
son of oranges will be at a high rate of ac-
tivity.
We are in the 46th week and the new
season for oranges is already in full swing. The evolution
At this stage, the harvested quantities Demand for oranges is currently very
must go through the stage of de-green- high, from all European countries. It
ing, before being sent to the Market - but Sooner or later, the orange should be noted here that according to
some Traffickers do not want to go through reputable traffickers, there is a demand
this process and wait for the oranges to rip- trade will find its balance and for Greek oranges this year, not only from
en naturally to start packing and market- our traditional Markets, ie those of the
ing. So supply in November is always low the season will run smoothly, Balkans, but also from Markets in which
- and it is this year. In fact, due to the fact until recently Greek oranges were rare,
that this year the small sizes are too ma- if the weather conditions have such as e.g. in the Netherlands, Belgium,
ny, many traffickers, although they have not a different opinion Scandinavian countries, etc.
the ability to de-green the fruits, did not This is one side of the coin, because on
start this process, because there is no mar- the other side, we have the pressure ex-
ket for these sizes, as in many countries, erted by the Turkish Traffickers in the Bal-
due to the pandemic, catering shops that kan Markets, who, due to the cheap cur-
absorbed the small sizes of oranges are rency, can and do offer their products at
closed. low prices.
But even for the large fruit sizes, which But Greek Traffickers have developed
are remarkably few at the moment, the strong trade ties over the years in ma-
Market is difficult, as Spain offers these ny European countries - and so, sooner
products at low prices - and so the Greek or later, the orange trade will find its bal-
Traders cannot follow these prices, as the ance and the season will run smoothly, if
price Producer formed during this time, at the weather conditions have not a differ-
the level of 35 cents. ent opinion.


DECEMBER 2020

MANOLIS ARCHONTAKIS small fruits of both Spain and Italy, makes
exporters’ work even more difficult.
OWNER
OF WESTLAND FRUIT LTD. Do you hope this scenario will change
in the near future?
Unfortunately, the prolonged drought
does not seem to leave us - and in the
meantime, more and more oranges will rip-
en, without the crops having received the
necessary amounts of water. Thus, the siz-
es of citrus fruits in the next period, are
not expected to change greatly, for
the better.

Is there consumption?
Not as much as need-
ed. There is generally not
enough demand, the Span-
iards have a large production and
“DISAPPOINTING BEGINNING the issue is that the market that would ab-
sorb small oranges has shrunk, as well as
FOR THE SEASON IN AETOLOAKARNANIA” restaurants and cafes - and the horeca in-
dustry in general closed due to the pan-
demic. We hope that after Christmas the
consumption will increase.
Very few exports of oranges and mandarins have been made since
the beginning of the season in Etoloakarnania, as both the small Is there any estimate for the produc-
size and the low sugar level that characterize the vast majority tion of Lane Late? In general, what
volume do you expect Etoloakarnania
of production, make the fruits problematic in terms of exports. to give us at the end of the season?
Mr. Manolis Archontakis, owner of Westland Fruit, depicts Lane Late will not start before February
for Froutonea the current productive and commercial situation. 15, but by then the Market must have been
“cleared” of Navalines and Merlin. Overall
for citrus fruits, I believe that this year Eto-
Are the mandarins in the same bad sit- loakarnania will give 20-30% more produc-
uation? tion than last year.
Yes, tangerines have not given us good
sizes and enough sugar level so far. The
lack of rainfall makes it difficult to meet There is generally not enough
the conditions for harvesting.
demand, the Spaniards have
So, how fast is the harvest going?
The late start of the season, which made a large production and the
us lose time from the beginning, combined
with the fact that the right sizes cannot be issue is that the market that
found anywhere keeps the harvest at very would absorb small oranges
low levels. I would say that the harvest is Info
at 20% levels of another, normal year. has shrunk, as well as WESTLAND FRUIT

What is the commercial impact of this restaurants and cafes - and
situation? Τηλ.: 0030 26320-32000
The fact that there is small fruits and the horeca industry in general E-mail: [email protected],
production delay, makes our exports move closed due to the pandemic [email protected]
at a very low level. This, combined with the


DECEMBER 2020

6 PRODUCTS








ÒMandarins




DIFFICULT START, HOPES FOR THE FUTURE!





The new season for mandarins started with difficulties, as at this point in time the small sizes of the
fruits prevail, while the international markets are under pressure from the Turkish production.
















































We are going through the 46th week the packers-traders, from the first cuts, is of the Eastern Peloponnese, it will be at
of the year and the commercial course in the increased percentages that are pres- last year’s levels, while in Western Greece
mandarins did not start well and it seems ent in the small sizes of the fruits, which it will be increased by about 20%.
that this year is completely different from usually exceed 30% of the harvested
last year. Let’s see which are the points quantity. That is also happens to manda- Late season: The high temperatures
that make the difference and which as it rins of the Clementine variety. The reason for the season that prevailed during the
turns out, will significantly affect the mar- for these increased percentages of small autumn, but also during the last stages of
keting of this product. fruits, lays in the heat of May, which signifi- flowering, had as a consequence to delay
cantly affected the fruitseting. Regarding the ripening of the fruits. Thus, the Span-
The size of the fruit: What troubled the volume of production, it in the region iards with the early varieties of Clemen-



DECEMBER 2020

tine that they produce from the beginning while the problem with the small sizes of
of October, but also the Turkish with the the fruits will be manageable.
satsumas that ripen at the same time, can What we cannot estimate at this time
and do shape the Market in mandarins in is how the Consumers will behave in this
the International Markets. We, on the oth- second period of quarantine. Another «dark
er hand, are waiting for November 10 to What we cannot estimate spot» in this commercial season is how the
start exporting tangerines. at this time is how consumers distribution channels will work. Due to the
quarantine, several outdoor Markets in
Producer Prices: Another reason for will behave in this second many European countries are under-func-
the difficult start that the Clementine va- tioning, while the strength of the chains
riety had, are the high Producer prices, quarantine. Another «dark» has increased. And here comes the ques-
which were formed in these first weeks of point in this commercial tion: Will the chains prefer to put Greek or
harvest. The high expectations of the Pro- Spanish mandarins on their shelves? Will
ducers, from the good development that season is how the distribution they demand low prices or will they invest
all the citrus fruits had last year, and the in quality?
minimal quantities that were present in channels will work In other words, we see that the Mar-
this period for harvesting, made the Pro- ket this year for all citrus, is in front of the
ducers reluctant to conclude trade agree- best, but also in front of the worst case
ments with the Traders. Of course, the scenario. But which of the two will prevail?
good weather also helped, as we have Here is the question!
not had heavy rains and high humidity lev-
els so far, in order to force the Producers
to sell quickly. Of course, slowly the pric-
es lowered - and in the 46th week, they
have reached the levels of about 40 cents,
in Argolida, while in Igoumenitsa they have
formed about 5-7 cents, lower. People that
know quite well the commercial course of
this product, estimate that in a few weeks
Producer prices will reach levels below 30
cents.

The lockdown: Many countries in Eu-
rope have implemented a tough lockdown
- and this, as it turns out, has affected the The Nova variety
smooth running of the Market. But the
most important thing is that the consum- We see that the Nova variety will start its commercial course quite early this
ers in this second lockdown, do not have year, as the good size of the fruits at this time, makes many traffickers to “look
the same consumer behavior that they had at it”. It should be noted here that in recent years the Nova variety begins its
in the first lockdown in March, when the journey to the Markets in early December - especially those of the Balkan
first choice of consumers was to buy citrus countries, although during this time it is confronted with the mandarin queen,
fruits, to strengthen their immune system. which is nothing but the variety Clementine!
Of course, the market can change in a few As for now, in the volume of production, this will be particularly increased this
days - and where today our products seem year, as several new orchards in the region of Etoloakarnania will be put into
a lot, in the end it turns out to be few. production. In fact, according to people that are well aware of what is happening
in Etoloakarnania, within the next 5 years the volume of production in the Nova
The next period variety will reach high levels. However, the many post-harvest problems that
In the last ten days of November, some this variety presents, but also its sensitivity to low temperatures, makes us
of the above causes that made it difficult keep low ambitions for its evolution, as it may be the joy of the Producer, but
for the Clementine trade to start will have at the same time it is the agony of the Merchant.
been disappeared. That is, the fruits will Finally, regarding the formation of prices, we estimate that they will move at
have matured and the Producer prices will the same levels as last year, i.e. they will move around the axis of about 30
have been formed at the levels that were cents.
in the same period of the previous years,



DECEMBER 2020

8 INTERVIEW



WORLD CITRUS ORGANISATION

WORLD CITRUS ORGANISATION PRESENTS

ANNUAL NORTHERN HEMISPHERE PRODUCTION FORECAST



The preliminary forecast shows that the 2020-21 citrus Northern Hemisphere crop is expected to
reach 28.737.570 T, which represents a decrease of slight decrease of 1% compared to the 2019 crop.


The WCO Secretariat has released its first crop production fore- increase in volume, with 12% increases recorded for both Italy and
cast for the forthcoming Northern Hemisphere citrus season 2020- Spain, respectively, and a 1% decrease for Greece. In the Southern
21. The preliminary forecast is collected from industry associations rim of the Mediterranean, crop forecasts for Egypt (-8%), Israel (-
in Egypt, Greece, Israel, Italy, Morocco, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey and 4%) and Turkey (-15%) have been lowered compared to 2019 vol-
the United States (California and Florida). The preliminary forecast umes. On the other hand, Morocco and Tunisia forecast increases in
shows that the 2020-21 citrus Northern Hemisphere crop is ex- their citrus crops this year, by 13% and 20% respectively compared
pected to reach 28.737.570 T, which represents a decrease of slight to 2019 figures. On its side, the United States production is expect-
decrease of 1% compared to the 2019 crop. This decreased volume ed to decrease by 9% compared to the precedent year, with Califor-
is the result of alternance in some countries compared to last year, nia lowering its forecast by 5% and Florida by 14%.
as well as the impact of the droughts recorded in several produc- WCO will tomorrow present this forecast during the first edition of
tion regions in the Northern Hemisphere. the Global Citrus Congress, which the World Citrus Organisation is
co-organising with Fruitnet. The Congress with an expected atten-
Decrease for the most of the fruit categories dance of more than 1.000 delegates will be the perfect opportunity
By citrus categories, most categories showed decreases in pro- to presents these latest global production figures and trade trends,
duction. Orange is expected to decrease by 2%, lemon by 7% and as well as the importance of sustainability in citrus production and
grapefruit by 9%. The only category increasing production volumes of nutrition and promotion to increase global citrus consumption.
compared to the previous year is soft citrus (+5%). Looking at pro- More information and last-minute registration is available on cit-
duction by region, European production is expected to experience an ruscongress.com.

“THE SMALL CALIBRES MAKE THE BEGINNING At which levels are producer prices
currently moving?
During the second week of Novem-
OF THE NEW SEASON DIFFICULT” ber, the producer prices for oranges are at
0.24-0.25 euros per kilo and for tangerines
The small sizes of the oranges and tangerines and the prices demanded at 0.30 euros per kilo. These are prices that
by the producers make exports difficult, according to Mr. Panagiotis do not leave much space for negotiations
in the market.
Bilias, owner of the Olympia Star company.
How do you see the season going?
Mr. Bilias, how has the orange mar- I would not like to make any assess-
keting season gone so far? ment of the final character of the season.
The season goes moderately for orang- However, the existing sizes of the fruits, so
es. The weather conditions did not help for far do not facilitate us.
the desired fruit growth and so the calibra-
tion in the estates of Ilia, as in the rest of
Greece, but also in Spain and Italy is very Info
bad. In addition, the development of the Olympia Star
fruits is evolving slowly and with these da-
ta it is very difficult to meet the needs of Τηλ.: 0030 2623032644
the market. Κιν.: 0030 6936751820
E-mail: [email protected],
Do we have different news in mandarins? [email protected],
The situation is quite difficult in tanger-
PANAGIOTIS BILLIAS ines as well, as the small sizes of the fruits [email protected]
Web: www.olympiastar.gr
OWNER OF OLYMPIA STAR are majority in this case as well.


DECEMBER 2020



10 INTERVIEW








At what levels stand the producer pric-
es for kiwi in our country?
At high levels for the period we are going
through. To be precise, the average pro-
ducer price is set at 0.65-0.75 euros / kg.

Let’s move on to the yellow flesh vari-
eties of kiwi. What is their production
this year in Northern Greece?
The growth of the cultivation of yel-
low kiwi varieties is spectacular in Greece
in recent years, as well as in Italy. More
and more producers are turning their at-
tention to these varieties and investing in
their cultivation. As a result, the cultivat-
ed acres are gradually expanding and thus
the quantities produced increase from year
to year. Passing to this season, the har-
vest in the production centers of North-
ern Greece has already been completed
and this year’s production volume is in-
creased by 15-20%, compared to last year.
Regarding the producer prices, they are set
at 0.60-0.70 euros / kg for small fruit kiwis
and at 0.90 -1.05 euros / kg for the other
CHRISTOS KOLIOS categories.

OWNER OF KOLIOS SA GROUP Have you noticed any problems in their
cultivation?
No, everything is going smoothly regard-
“THE DEMAND FOR GREEK KIWIS ing the cultivation of the product. The dif-
ficulties we encountered when they were
first cultivated in our country have now
FROM ITALY IS STILL INTENSE” been eliminated and both producers and
traders are fully acquainted with the man-
agement of this product.
Mr. Kolios, Owner of Kolios Group SA informs us about the estab-
lishment of the Greek Interprofessional Organization of kiwi but Commercially, what is the season for
also the development of the commercial season of the product. the yellow-flesh varieties like?
Given the fact that until November 20th
there were stocks of kiwis from New Zea-
land in the markets, the Greek quantities of
Mr. Kolios, how is the kiwi season derconsumption? yellow kiwis were very limited in the mar-
evolving? Is interest in European mar- Certainly the disruption in the mar-
kets still strong? kets due to the lock down for the corona- ket. Our quantities are gradually increasing
in the markets and in December their ab-
The interest of Italian traders continues virus has played a decisive role in the de-
to be great for the Greek quantities, main- mand for kiwi. However, the main reason I sorption will be at a normal rate.
ly due to the reduced production in the would say is the high prices of the product Regarding the establishment of the
neighboring country this season. However, this year, with the result that the average Greek Interprofessional of Kiwi, have you
I would not say the same about the con- consumer does not buy it. Consequently, proceeded ?
sumption of kiwi at European level, which COVID in combination with the effects of At the moment, the statute of the orga-
has been declining lately. the financial crisis on the consumer’s wal- nization is ready and during the period we
let do not significantly help the consump- are going through, we are gathering the
What are the main reasons for this un- tion of the product.
necessary documents to submit the iden-



DECEMBER 2020

What are its immediate goals?
The reason that the Interprofessional
Organization of kiwi was established is to
promote the interests and actions of such
a dynamic product and not to have the
The reason that “fate” that other Greek products had as
the Interprofessional dynamic as the olive. More specifically, the
primary goal of Interprofessional Kiwi is to
Organization of kiwi promote the product in international mar-
kets, through the participation of its mem-
was established is bers in international exhibitions. A second
to promote the interests purpose is to address and resolve issues
related to both cultivation - production
and actions of such a dynamic (diseases - plant protection) and the distri-
bution of the product in the markets (dis-
product and not to have
tification file to the ministry. I believe that tribution - prices). Let us not forget that
this step will be completed by the end of the «fate» that other Greek kiwi is one of the products that has expe-
this year. rienced a great recovery in recent years in
products had as dynamic our country and motivates Greek produc-
How many members are there so far? as the olive ers to invest in its cultivation.
The members of the Interprofession-
al Union are about 30 companies and this Can you comment on the start of the
number will gradually increase. orange season in your area?
The harvest for the oranges in the ar-
Who can become a member of the In- ea of Arta started at the end of November,
terprofessional? with the production being at last year’s
Anyone belonging to the primary and levels and the majority of the oranges be-
secondary sector of kiwi. ing small fruits.










































DECEMBER 2020

12 PRODUCTS









ÒKiwis



PRODUCTION REDUCED BY 30%, IN COMPARISON WITH LAST SEASON!




The kiwi harvest is in full swing and it seems that it will be completed
in the second ten days of November, much later than normal conditions.


We are going through the 46th week of significantly influenced the marketing of
the year and the kiwi harvest is coming kiwis in our country, as they buy significant
to an end, with the Producers being hap- quantities. This is exactly what happened
pier as the Producer prices were around this year - and in addition to the Italian
10 -15 cents/kilo, higher than last year. In companies that regularly buy Greek kiwis
particular, according to circles that are well At the end of the year every year, this year many small Italian
aware of the commercial development of we will see if this year traffickers became interested, where most
this product, the first trade deals started of them bought the products with fictitious
at 60 cents/kilo, but these were minimal, will be profitable for invoices. As for the Greek Traffickers, the
as at these prices the Producers were not quantities they stored this year were much
willing to sell. So, in a few days, the deals Merchants - and they did lower than those they stored in previous
started to close at 70 cents. Of course, ma- years. A little high producer prices, a little
ny estates were bought at 75 cents and well and bought the products market uncertainty and a little “hesitation”
some even higher, but on average we can at these prices they showed in all stages of the market,
say that the Producer price this year was a are the reasons for this behavior.
little higher than 70 cents.
And now sales
Reduced production The end of the year will be what will
As it turned out, the production volume show if this year will be profitable for the
was quite reduced in Arta, Pieria, and Xan- Merchants - and they did well and bought
thi. In fact, some traders say that the re- the international forums, but also in the the products at these prices.
duction in these areas may have been as industry publications of the area. Only the Of course, this year is special and un-
much as 30%, something that was not ap- area of Kavala, had a better picture, as in like any previous, as lockdown has been
preciated and was not mentioned at all in this area the volume of production was implemented in many countries - and dis-
slightly lower than last year. Why the esti- tribution channels have been disorga-
mates fell out is an issue and we need an- nized. Consumers do not seem to have the
swers, which we will look for in due course. same consumer behavior as they did in the
Regarding the quality of the fruits, no Spring lockdown - and we must not forget
particular problems were reported, on the that many of them have become unem-
contrary, the good weather condi- ployed and their consumer power has been
tions may have delayed the rip- significantly reduced. With all this, one can
ening of the fruits and thus not estimate how the Market will devel-
lost days of marketing, op this year, not only in our country, but
but on the other hand, around the world, because more or less all
the diseases were re- countries are boiling in the same cauldron.
duced and the har- The only thing that calms Traffickers is
vest was done. un- the fact that they have more than 6 months
der ideal conditions. to sell kiwis - and that may be the motiva-
tion for so many people to trade kiwis. The
Marketing long duration of marketing, that is.
In recent years, We hope that the 2.020 season will be
Italian traders have profitable for the Merchants as well.



DECEMBER 2020



14 INTERVIEW









“THE PRODUCTION VOLUME


OF STRAWBERRY IS HIGHER


10-20% THAN LAST SEASON”


Mr Taktikos talks about the expansion of strawberry cultivation
in the region of Ilia and the expected increase in the production
volume of the product. Dimitris Taktikos, Owner of the com-
pany TAKTIKOS SA, also refers to the problems faced by the
domestic strawberry industry this year.
DIMITRIS TACTIKOS
total number of strawberry plants reaches incorporated, tested along the way and
OWNER OF TAKTIKOS SA 90-100 million. some stay while others do not have the
appropriate performance and quality stan-
What do you think is the reason for this dards and “leave” the crops.
Mr. Taktikos, strawberry is one of the
products that has had difficulties in the expansion of cultivation?
markets over the past year. How did Look, the strawberry is a product that re- Will the strawberry from the second
last season finally end for domestic cords an increase in its cultivated acres in wave of the pandemic we are going
producers and traders? recent years. One of the reasons for this de- through be tested again this year?
Indeed, the strawberry was originally velopment is certainly the growing number I think that the season will run more
one of the “victims” of Covid-19, but man- of producers who turn their interest in the smoothly this year, because we went
aged to overturn it at the end of the sea- product and invest in it. A second reason through the first cold last year and this
son. More specifically, when the pandemic for this year’s increase in cultivated acres year the industry is more prepared. How-
broke out the truth is that enough quanti- could be the unexpected positive outcome ever, because the data is changing day by
ties were thrown away, as it was impossi- of things during last season that filled with day with this pandemic and nothing can be
ble to be absorbed by the markets and as optimism and incentives for domestic pro- said with certainty, I think I could answer
you know the strawberry is a particularly ducers to invest even more in strawberries your question more accurately in Decem-
fragile product that cannot wait… Howev- this season. After all, it is well known that ber - January, when things will be clearer
er, Greek quantities found their way to the the full “wallet” at the end of a season has about all of us, producers and traffickers.
European markets, as a result of which the as a logical consequence the investment
majority of the domestic quantities were without hesitation for the coming year. Are you facing any other problems in
absorbed and the losses that occurred in your area this year?
April were covered. Last season was ex- So, are we talking about increasing do- I would say that the problem that re-
tended until June 20 and producer prices mestic production this year? mains unsolved is that of the land workers.
averaged 1.20-1.25 euros / kg. Yes, of course. The increase in this year’s 60% of the labor force in our crops is ille-
strawberry production will be of the order gal and the remaining 40% is legal. Covid
The new season is just around the cor- of 10-20%, compared to last year. The har- closed borders are a bigger problem this
ner. What do the first data say about vest has already started timidly with the year, as we are not able to know how ma-
the cultivation of the product in the over-early varieties and producer prices ny workers from the Balkans are “trapped”
wider area of Ilia? are set in November at 3-3.50 euros / kg. in our country and how many of them will
First of all, let me mention that at the At this stage we harvest quantities of the come to pick strawberries. During the pe-
beginning of November the planting of the Fortuna variety. However, the majority of riod we are going through, most of them
product was completed and as everything domestic strawberry harvest will be har- have “migrated” to the areas of Messinia
shows this year we observe an expansion vested in February. and Ilia for the olive harvest and others in
of the total cultivated area by 1000-2000 Northern Greece for the kiwi and citrus har-
acres. That is, the total cultivated area of Do you have new strawberry varieties vest. So we do not know how many farm
the region is formed this year at 15,000 in your crop this year? workers from the above will be consistent
acres from 13,000 acres last year and the Yes, every year many new varieties are for this year’s strawberry harvest.



DECEMBER 2020

“DECEMBER WILL BE
GIANNIS ARVANITAKIS

OWNER OF A CRUCIAL MONTH FOR STRAWBERRY”
ARVANITAKIS COMPANY
Mr. Arvanitakis expresses his uncertainty about the outcome of this
year’s strawberry season and considers that many fronts are open
Mr. Arvanitakis, how is this year’s this year regarding the commercial course of strawberry and that
strawberry season evolving?
We are going through the second week the landscape will clear up in December.
of November and a few days ago this year’s
strawberry plantings in our area were com-
pleted. This year’s cultivated acres stand
-if not at the same- at slightly higher levels
compared to last year, with the result that
this year’s production volume remains sta-
ble. Some small quantities of the Fortuna
variety have already been produced, while
the harvest for the majority of the quanti-
ties will start from December onwards.

Do you think this will be a good year for
strawberry?
It is still too early to make any com-
ments. Firstly, we do not know what the
weather will bring in the near future and
secondly, how the second wave of the pan-
demic will develop. Last year, although ini-
tially the pandemic harmed the domes-
tic product industry, in the process things
changed so we did not have the expected
losses. So far, everything is going well as
far as the cultivation is concerned and that
is what we need to focus on in my opinion.
In December we will have a clear picture of
this year’s production and the course of the
strawberry. Until then, let’s avoid making
predictions because this year will be spe-
cial.



DECEMBER 2020

16 PRODUCTS







ÒVegetables




TRYING TO COPE WITH COVID-19



A special, difficult and unpredictable season has begun for the horticultural products in
greenhouses, as covid-19 has set its own rules at all markets and producers - traders are obligated
to comply with them.

































































DECEMBER 2020

We are going through week 47 and the From the beginning of December, however,
autumn crop is coming to an end leaving the harvest of the medium crop will start
the producers satisfied. Now it’s time for in this area, with the cultivated area in the
the winter cultivation and in many prod- Beef type tomatoes being reduced and in
ucts the harvest has already started. But their place, export-oriented products have
let us see in detail what the situation is at The production of vegetables been cultivated.
the moment in the main vegetable produc- and especially tomatoes
tion centers of Crete, but also in that of the Arvi-Psari: The season goes on with-
area of Filiatra and Kyparissia, in Messinia. in the area of Ierapetra is late out problems in the area of Psari Forada
which is known for its cultivation of cu-
Ierapetra: The production of vegeta- for a couple of weeks and cumbers, with the weather so far being
bles and especially tomatoes in the area of very good and helping the plants to de-
Ierapetra is late for a couple of weeks and the reason for this is the fact velop smoothly. Regarding the cultivat-
the reason for this is the fact that last year that last year the season ed area, there are no significant differenc-
the season did not end well and the pro- es compared to previous years and as in
ducers went into summer crops to equal- did not end well and the other productive areas of Crete, the har-
ize the losses which were caused by the vest has started at normal levels. At the
producers went into summer moment the quantities harvested are few,
but in December we expect them to in-
crops to equalize the losses crease so that at Christmas there will be
which were caused by enough quantities. Regarding the com-
mercial course of the product, at the mo-
the closure of markets due ment the prices are low and we wait to see
how they will be formed when the produc-
to covid tion volumes increase. It should be noted
here that last year did not give «smiles» to
the producers, as due to covid it ended a
month earlier than usual and the produc-
ers harvested less quantities.
closure of markets due to covid. So the ar-
ea of Ierapetra will give us a good volume Western Crete: We do not have any
of production volume during the Christmas changes in the cultivated area in the area
holidays in all products. Regarding the pro- of Kountoura and Elafonissi where the cul-
ductive map of the area, there are no signif- tivation of beef tomatoes dominates, while
icant changes compared to previous years. all other species grow to a lesser extent.
The only change is that instead of the cul- What characterizes this season in West-
tivated varieties that aimed to satisfy the ern Crete is that the harvest has started
consumers of the Greek market, varieties a few weeks earlier than normal, due to
have been cultivated and aim at the con- the good weather so far, but also due to
sumers of the international markets. the fact that the producers planted earlier
This is also pointed out by productive than usual, as they wanted to enter earlier
circles from Ierapetra, that this year they the season since last year was disastrous
pay more attention to exports without ne- for them due to quarantine.
glecting the domestic market. Regarding
the evolution of the commercial course of Filiatra-Kyparissia: In this area of
the products now, they are optimistic and the Peloponnese the cucumbers have now
expect that if there is not a lock down at completed their productive cycle and only
Christmas, then things will go even better. the tomatoes still have a productive pres-
ence. However, this product is also com-
Tympaki: The autumn cultivation of ing to an end, as by week 46 we are going
vegetables in the wider area of Tympa- through, 70% of the production has been
ki developed very well, as in October the harvested and by the end of November, the
prices of all vegetables were very good. In last fruits will have been harvested. This
fact, according to cooperative executives year for tomatoes turned out very well,
in the area, prices for all types of vegeta- as prices were good especially in October
bles this year were higher bout 50%, com- and if there was no problem with brown
pared to the same period last year. The wrinkles, which caused a lot of damage to
good evolution of prices continues until crops, then we would be talking about a
week 47 with the quantities decreasing. great season.



DECEMBER 2020

18 INTERVIEW








“THE VEGETABLE MARKET IS GOING


THROUGH A RECESSION”



According to Mr. Nikos Tsourdinis, Owner of the Company
of Tsourdinis & Co., November saw a decline in prices of the
vegetables of Tympaki and Ierapetra. According to his interview
with Froutonea, the effects of the lockdown on consumer
purchasing power will keep prices lower than last year.


sion, but this is clearly due to quarantine,
as the large restaurant channel has been
closed and the Vegetable Markets are un-
der-functioning. Supermarkets, therefore,
NIKOS TSOURDINIS cannot absorb the entire volume of pro-
This year’s tomato plantings duction and as the production of Spain is
OWNER OF TSOURDINIS & CO late this year, all products record declin-
in Tympaki and Ierapetra ing trends, reaching some of them even at
were fewer - and several prices below cost.
Mr. Tsourdinis, how did the growing of them were planted later, Are you facing pressure on the Balkan
season for vegetables in Tympaki end? Markets from Turkish exports? In gen-
Were there any weather problems or in order to meet colder eral, what conditions does the Turkish
other factors? production create?
The southern cultivation zones of Crete, weather - and therefore less Yes, we are facing pressure - and not
Tympaki, but also Ierapetra, were unaf- just from Turkey, but also from Morocco.
fected by the bad weather that hit Crete. fungal pressure So, on the one hand, through Perpignan in
On the contrary, the mild rains that fell, fa- France, Moroccan vegetables are imported
vored the production. On the other hand, and distributed throughout Europe, while
the heat of September negatively affect- production rate from November 20, but we no one knows how they have been grown
will continue at this rate after the holidays,
ed the flowering of tomatoes and peppers, and which methods have been used, while
while the withdrawal of more and more depending of course on the weather. on the other hand, Turkey sells expen-
chemical plant protection products has be- Is there a product with a remarkable sive products everywhere - and especial-
gun to cause us serious problems in how commercial course at the start of the ly in Eastern European markets, because
to deal with certain diseases and pests, as new season? there are fewer checks on MRL. The rea-
the biological products that come to re- In October, tomato recorded very high son this happens is because supermarkets
place the chemicals, are not a solution in need cheap products to be able to keep re-
cases of severe infections. Finally, at least prices and that is where the problem cre- tail prices at reasonable levels.
ated by tuta absoluta became apparent.
the Producers with whom our Company co-
operates did not face any problem regard- The tomato has now become a very ex- Do you have any estimation on how the
pensive crop and the Producers of Tym-
ing the ToBRFV. Market will move after Christmas?
paki and Ierapetra show an aversion to it.
As a result, there have been fewer toma- The conditions of the first quarantine no
What is the pace of sales so far? longer prevail, nor are we in the summer
The fall of the flowers brought a de- to plantings this year - and several have when we sold everything. At this stage,
crease in the products with which the been delayed to meet colder weather - and many people across Europe have lost
trade started. The vegetables were few therefore less fungal pressure. their jobs - or generally seen their incomes
compared to the cultivated areas and the How did the Market react to the lock- fall, so the world’s consumer power has
expected quantities. However, this year’s down? shrunk. Based on these data, I believe that
plantings in our area are late. For this rea- we will see prices move at lower levels
son, this year we will catch the maximum At the moment, the Market is in reces- than during the same period last season.



DECEMBER 2020

FRUIT ATTRACTION LIVE CONNECT

IT WILL REMAIN ACTIVE TILL THE END OF THE YEAR



A total of 15,250 contacts have been made between them, with 40,814 messages exchanged, more
than 500 meetings held within the platform, and 186 video calls made.



of participating exhibitors, made up of 433
companies, as well as 26,354 clicks in the
Community Network; 19,930 in the Confer-
ence Program, and 17,492 in the Exhibitors
Sales Force and Staff section.
Fruit Attraction LIVEConnect will allow
users to continue learning about the 160
fruit and vegetable products and services
featured in the Innovation Hub, as well as
about the 20 finalists of the Innovation Hub
Awards in its two categories: Fresh Pro-
duce and F&V Industry; a section that has
registered 5,371 clicks to date.
The organization aims to consolidate
the dynamization strategies in order to
strengthen the quantitative and qualita-
tive levels of the community’s members,
Following the success of the Fruit At- enjoying many technical conferences. It as well as to amplify international cover-
traction LIVEConnect platform during its is worth noting that during October, there age, develop learning and analyze the re-
first month of activity, the organization have been 228 such sessions with the par- sults of the surveys in order to offer the
has decided to keep it online for two more ticipation of 177 speakers. industry as a whole the best digital net-
months, i.e. till the end of 2020. This step working platform in the world specialized
is considered a first phase before its More time for business in the fruit and vegetable sector. The di-
permanent opening, which will During the next two months, rector of Fruit Attraction, Raúl Calleja, said
offer the international fruit and the community will have the op- that “Fruit Attraction is an instrument in-
vegetable sector an informa- portunity to continue making con- tended to promote the commercial dyna-
tive and relational network- tacts, holding meetings and video mism of the international fruit and vegeta-
ing platform with relevant calls and to work with the con- ble sector, so we must have the ability to
content all year round. tacts they have made. Between contribute in the hybridization process of
This extension, car- October 1 and 31, a community of the commercial area, providing tools that
ried out at no cost almost 7,000 members has been facilitate relational transformation, bring-
to the current- formed, and this figure will contin- ing contacts, content, products and com-
ly registered ue to grow exponentially in the panies under the same platform. There is
participants, coming weeks. A total of 15,250 no doubt that face-to-face has a series of
will allow the contacts have been made be- irreplaceable attributes, but Fruit Attrac-
community tween them, with 40,814 mes- tion LIVEConnect reinforces and comple-
to continue sages exchanged, more than 500 ments that with functionalities that face-
network- meetings held within the plat- to-face relations don’t cover”.
ing and form, and 186 video calls made. Al-
so, in the first month of activity on the • Fruit Attraction 2021, organized
Fruit Attraction LIVEConnect platform, by IFEMA and FEPEX, will be held
there have been 41,235 clicks in the list between October 5 and 7.




DECEMBER 2020