The Greek kiwi season started three weeks ago at the Dutch company GrecFresh with the early varieties. As of October 15, the Hayward variety can also be officially harvested in Greece. "Demand was unexpectedly high in the first few weeks and exploded even before the season began. I didn't think it would go so fast. We've been selling hefty volumes a week in advance since the beginning of the season," says Thanos Motsiopoulos.
Greece's crop is good this year. A similar tonnage is expected from the Hayward variety as last year, but due to a different setting, the fruit is slightly larger - and their quantity somewhat lower. "Italy, however, has a 15% lower crop. That offers prospects for Greek growers, who hope to make up for these shortfalls."
Quality controller Mark Libregts checks the kiwis' quality at arrival.
The Hayward variety harvest runs until late October. "We can sell them until May," expects Thanos, who will visit the growers (associations) that supply him again next week. Most of that consists of the green Hayward variety. Grec Fresh also offers the Golden Sorelli variety, but the green kiwis dwarf those, quantity-wise.
"Greek growers have higher expectations than last year. More and more kiwis are being sold to overseas destinations, like Brazil and India. We'll have to see how that will affect European market availability and prices in the coming years. For now, there's demand throughout Europe, and we do plenty of direct shipments," Thanos concludes.
For more information:
Thanos Motsiopoulos
GrecFresh
Mob: +31 (0) 653 821 842
Email: thanos@grecfresh.com