With strong “papers” of the Greek kiwi and the strawberry, two agricultural products that once again set records this year by conquering foreign markets, the exports of fruits and vegetables in the first half of 2024 compared to the corresponding period last year, are increased by 10.4% in value and slightly decreased by 1.5% in volume.
According to the latest data from ELSTAT, which was processed by the Association of Greek Fruit, Vegetable and Juice Exporting Enterprises Incofruit Hellas, the value of exports in the first half of 2024 reached 1,017.29 billion euros, while their quantities were 996.8 thousand tons.
In particular, exports-shipments to the EU amounted to 890.76 million euros, constituting 88% of the total export value. Accordingly, shipments to the EU amounted to 801,698 tons and exports to third countries amounted to 195,102 tons, 20% of all exports.
“First” in exports for kiwi and strawberry
This year’s kiwi and strawberry exports set records for another year, which contributed to the increase in sales for Greek fruits and vegetables on the European markets.
In particular, according to the same data, the kiwi recorded an increase in value by 30.4%, reaching 305.5 million euros, while for the strawberry at 160.19 million euros.
Exports outside the EU
Accordingly, the export outside the EU of fresh fruit and vegetables amounted to 109.386 million euros, 11.6% more, representing 17.6% of the total. This increase is mainly due to non-EU European countries, in which a 21.3% increase compared to 2019 was recorded, with a total value of 70.96 million euros.
Outside Europe, exports amounted to 126.52 million euros with a rate that amounts to 12% of the total.
In particular, according to the data processed by Incofruit Hellas, vegetable exports from January to June 2024 increased by 10.6% compared to the same period in 2023, which amounted to 236,349 tons, increased by 2, 7% in value reaching 199.384 million euros. The biggest increase is observed in potatoes by 61.7%, part of which, however, as the exporters point out, “are re-exported from imports from third countries”.
Accordingly, the export of fruit showed a decrease in volume compared to the same period of 2023 (-4.7), reaching 760,451 tons, while the value increased by 12.5%, reaching 817.9 million euros. The most significant decreases are recorded in apples (-43%), oranges (-19.8%) and lemons (-33.5%).
“The increase in the value of exported fruit by 12.5% is impressive and shows the increased average unit price of our products, mainly due to kiwis, oranges, strawberries, which created export records”, comments the Association’s special advisor to OT of Hellenic Fruit, Vegetable and Juice Exporting Enterprises Incofruit Hellas Giorgos Polychronakis.
In fact, as he explains, based on the provisional data of the Ministry of Transport and Communications, it is observed that until August 8, 2024, there is a percentage increase of 10% in summer fruits, thus balancing the reduced quantities of winter fruits. “It is estimated that the increase in their value will be more than 20% and if there are no damages, due to weather conditions, then the exports of fruits and vegetables will have prospects to record a new record in the end.”
How will the reputation of Greek products be preserved?
In the meantime, as Mr. Polychronakis points out to OT, “non-standard fruit and vegetables (directly from the field) are still traded by Greek and Balkan merchants (directly from the field) mainly to neighboring markets and for certain products in large percentages that are not recorded in the provisional data (without announcement), while there are cases of defamation of Greek fruits and vegetables”.
At the same time, as he notes, the impact of the 2020 pandemic mobilized increased exports-movements with continuous records. “However, there were also increased production costs (labour, energy, transport, etc.). The consumer habits of the markets have changed, with a higher demand for products with a longer post-harvest shelf life, less frequency of purchases and a higher demand for local and packaged products”, explains Mr. Polychronakis to OT.
Therefore, “the importance of maintaining a healthy diet has increased and with it the consumption of fruits and vegetables. The nutrients are an important parameter in their selection, but the origin and traceability are the criteria for increasing demand. Consumers want to know where the product comes from, how and where it was produced and what cultivation practices were followed by its growers. Due to the epidemic, more suitable hygienic packaging has become increasingly important as the demand for non-standard and packaged fruits and vegetables has decreased. Our fruits and vegetables respond to all of the above and we should preserve their reputation for the expansion of existing markets and the opening of new ones”, emphasizes Mr. Polychronakis.
As a necessary condition for maintaining the reputation of our products in the consumer markets, he mentions the strict application of national and EU rules for marketing-quality specifications with full traceability, which provides security to the consumer for their quality and compliance with hygiene rules throughout the supply chain of our products.
Source: ot.gr
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