With fresh fruit and vegetable exports moved in a positive direction in the first quarter of 2024with their value increasing by 5.8% compared to the same period in 2023, according to ELSTAT data, which was processed by Association of Greek Fruit, Vegetable and Juice Exporting and Trading Companies INCOFRUIT-HELLAS.

The average selling price per weight unit increased by 24.5% according to the same data.

However, Greek exports fell by 15% in volume, reaching 458,557 tons compared to 539,671 tons in the first quarter of 2023.

In the January-March 2024 period, vegetable shipments increased by 3.5% in volume compared to the same months of 2023, while the value showed a marginal increase (0.3%), reaching 93.83 million euros.

In fruit, the volume of exports decreased by 18.7% but showed an increase of 7.2%, reaching 365,185 tons and 422.1 million euros, due to the increase of the average price by 31.9%.

According to the official data of ELSTAT, in January 2024 there was a decrease in exports compared to the corresponding month of 2023 by -18.2%. But the weighted average export prices have improved by 30.69% over the same period last year.

The market was sluggish in February as exports fell 11.5% in volume, while the weighted average price rose 23.6%, compared to the same month in 2024.

Finally, in March, due to the closure of the passage through the Red Sea, a 15.1% decrease in exports was recorded in volume, while average unit prices increased by 20.4%.

In his statement to the Athenian-Macedonian News Agency, the special advisor of the Association, George Polychronakis he said among other things that the high cost of production and trade of fruit and vegetables “has slightly improved but remains very high not contributing to the competitiveness of our products” and added “Despite the swelling of the overall trade deficit in the first quarter of 2024, the balance of our agricultural sector still shows a surplus of 205.804 million euros”.

Imports

On the contrary, the figures concerning the imports of fruits and vegetables are worrying.

In the first three months of this year, more fruit and vegetables were imported +17.1% in volume and by 20.9% in value compared to the same period in 2023 “reversing the trends of the previous two years helping to limit the surplus of balance” according to Mr. Polychronakis.

According to his estimates, “there is a risk that crops will be abandoned and the supply chain will be replaced by low-cost imported products from third countries that do not meet the requirements requested by European producers (plant-sanitary, social, quality standards, etc.) if not timely measures be taken by both the European Union and the Greek State”.