Galery

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In the period January - October 2014, Greek exports of fresh fruits and vegetables reported a 4% decline in value, amounting to 765,394,589 euro, compared with the same period of 2013. At the same time, the volume of exports of vegetables and fruits grew by 8.1% and 7.8% respectively.

According to special advisor to the association of Greek exporters of fruits, vegetables and juices Incofruit-Hellas George Polichronakis, a decrease in the value of exports was reported in 2014, which interrupted the upward trend of the past 10 years at the expense of growth in the volume of exports of the order of 9%.

As stated by George Polichronakis, the forecasts until July 2014 were for another positive year. However, the situation changed in the second half of 2014 due to the Russian embargo imposed on the imports of fruits and vegetables from the European Union, which entered into force on 7 August.

Exports to Russia decreased by 35.1% because of the embargo

According to the association, the decline in exports of Greek fruits and vegetables in August was 7.1% in value and 14.7% in volume compared with the same period of 2103. In terms of exports in September and October, these rates were -13% and -11% compared with the same months of 2013.

Generally, exports of Greek fruits and vegetables to third countries increased by 3.5% in the first 10 months of 2014 compared with the same period of 2013, despite the Russian embargo. The major destination for Greek fruits and vegetables outside the European Union remained Russia with 75,708.173 tons worth 72,813,207 euro, followed by Serbia, Macedonia and Albania. However, selling prices were reduced.

In any case, exports of Greek fruits and vegetables to Russia in the period January - October 2014 fell by around 31.1% in volume and 35.1% in value compared with 2013. According to George Polichronakis, exports growth was remarkable in the period before the embargo.

What happens to imports

In 2014, imports of vegetables were 213,083 tons (a 2.2% decline compared with 2013) and amounted to 137,342,877 (a 5.3% decline) and of fruits, 206,996 tons, (a 3.6% increase) worth 221,651,383 euro (a 5.8% increase).

In general, imports of fresh fruits and vegetables in 2014 had a firm upward trend in value and volume.

The main goods imported were as follows:

1          bananas           value                70,331,218 euro          116,398t

2          potatoes           value                42,097,681 euro          104,811t

3          lemons             value                12,395,308 euro          12,932t

4          apples              value                8,249,302 euro            14,115t

5          tomatoes          value                5,783,604 euro            7,919t

6          pineapples       value                3,012,104 euro            5,275t
 
"These data show increasing difficulties in the production of certain fruits and vegetables in Greece, such as potatoes, lemons, etc. as well as the need to improve their competitiveness", George Polichronakis commented, adding, "For the period 2014/2015 (in connection with the production of citrus fruits, kiwi, apples, cucumbers, strawberries, etc.), we have called on the state to take all possible measures that will facilitate exports, for example, to Asian countries. However, bureaucracy and the insufficient staff in the relevant departments have made it impossible to enter these markets, despite the existing demand."