For Greek fruit exporter Proto, the kiwi season is over. Although kiwis is their major product, they still export plenty of other fruits across the globe. The strawberry season is still going, but the quantities are bit lower than expected.
Nick Pardalis is the QA Manager for Proto, according to him the strawberry season has not been very satisfying so far: “This season we noticed a decrease in production overall. The past two weeks there was a drop in productivity of 60 per cent. The season isn’t fully over yet though, the harvest is expected to continue until the end of May. We haven’t been completely happy with the quality of the strawberries this year either, so there is room for improvement for the next season. This year the weather has been rainy, slightly more than the average, which could also have played a role in the outcome.”
Proto exports its strawberries to the Balkans, mostly. When asked about any competition from Egypt, Pardalis isn’t too worried on the short term: “Egypt is indeed growing in the strawberry sector, but it will take time before they become a main competitor for Greece. Besides Greek packers export to clientele with high demands in certifications and ethical audits, so I am not aware of how the Egyptians handle this aspect of the business. They are a player to keep an eye on for sure.”
For more information:
Nick Pardalis
Protofanousi Fruits S.A.
Mobile: +30 6976555660
Tel: +30 2310 289199
Email: npardalis@proto.gr
www.proto.gr