We are in the middle of the Greek apricot season, and supplies are lacking in volume consistency. As Mr. Kostas Markovitis, a stone fruit grower and packer from Imathia, stresses: "At the moment, we are close to the end of the Lady Cot and similar varieties' season, and a 20-day gap is about to follow. It will last until the beginning of the Farbaly season. I think that this variety will also mark the end of the marketing season. By the end of July, the harvest will have been largely completed."
This upcoming gap is expected to further increase prices, which are already high. "Fruits are very few, and grower prices are currently ranging from 1,20 to 1,80 euros per kg. Those who were lucky enough to see their crops remain safe and sound from the various adverse phenomena are going to be compensated for three seasons. However, the majority of growers are suffering because they have been left with an extremely low crop," says the Greek entrepreneur.
As he adds, "The quality of the apricots is high in all aspects. There is taste consistency in the sequence of the marketed varieties, and the crop is characterized by very large calibers, bigger than the average, which would normally range from 60 to 85 grams per fruit. We even get fruits of 130 grams. The favorable weather conditions have helped us achieve these characteristics and also avoid problems with worms and Monilinia spp. Therefore, the post-harvest management of the crop is also proceeding smoothly and presenting no problems."
According to Mr. Markovitis, demand is strong across all the various channels, and only the demand from the Greek islands — characterized by a developed HORECA industry — seems to fall somewhat short of expectations. "We receive calls from Bulgaria, Serbia, other Eastern European countries, and Jordan. There are no complaints expressed by buyers about the prices. They have accepted that these prices are a fact this season."
Finally, the market seems to prefer the blushed and red varieties. "The most demanded varieties are the yellow-red and red ones, such as Lady Cot, Rubista, Rougecot, Pricia, and Tsunami," the Greek grower concludes.
For more information:
Kostas Markovitis
Markovitis Estate
Tel: +30 698 291 4141
Email: [email protected]