Sweet potato harvesting in the Ilia region has entered its peak point, according to Mr. Triantafyllos Togias, owner of the local company Togias Family Farm, which specializes exclusively in this product: "In Ilia, we cultivate the Beauregard variety. In terms of timing, we have passed the midpoint of the harvest, which is expected to be completed in October. The harvest tasks continue at a fast pace, with harvesting taking place on a daily basis. The yields we are already obtaining are expected to remain steady at 20 to 25 tons per hectare, which, however, is not satisfactory for us. We would like at least 10 more tons."
© Togias Family Farm
At the same time, quality issues are causing concern: "Overall, this year's production is not good. So far, around 10%–20% of the crop is considered substandard for trading due to quality issues caused by insect infestations, combined with the lack of effective control substances. European Union regulations have drastically limited our options, which may also create problems in storing the product. When they do not enter cold storage in optimal condition, sweet potatoes may fail to reach their normal 6–8 months of shelf life. We'll see how it goes this year."
Regarding commercial developments, the Greek businessman points out: "So far, not many quantities have entered cold storage yet. Large quantities are not moving yet, but the supply so far matches demand. The current grower price, for the harvest to be carried out at the buyer's expense, stands at 0,35 euros per kilo. However, we cannot consider this price as indicative yet. The price level will become clear around Christmas, when the products reaching markets will come exclusively from storage."
© Togias Family Farm
"The main problem for our sales is the strong presence of Egyptian sweet potatoes. Usually, the price at which Egyptian sweet potatoes are delivered in Germany is the same price at which Greek producers sell their product from storage. This is also true in the Greek market, where Egyptian sweet potatoes can enter at competitive prices. However, the Greek market prefers local produce, and this provides significant support for its cultivation," concludes Mr. Togias.
For more information:
Triantafyllos Togias
Togias Family Farm
Tel: (+30) 697 658 0541
Email: [email protected]
https://togiasfamilyfarm.gr/
