Kavala is the only grape-growing region in Greece that has not entered the market yet, as the harvest begins in the first week of August. However, Mr. Charalampos Chrysanidis, a grower and packer based in Kavala who also trades grapes from other Greek regions, says: "Grower prices for grapes currently coming from Crete and Corinth have increased to a level too high to support any real export activity. Egypt is still in the market, while Spain is experiencing overproduction, and Greek grape prices are not competitive at all. Even the Greek market has started to react negatively to these prices."
© Chrysanidis Bros SASugar Crisp in Kavala as of late July.
As for how Greek production will develop in the coming period, Mr. Chrysanidis says: "The harvest of Thompson Seedless and other late varieties began in Crete five days ago, and the season there will end in mid-August. Corinth is running one week late this year, and the harvest of Thompson Seedless will begin there on August 1. The arrival of Corinthian Thompson Seedless will more than double the availability of Greek grapes. This will certainly force prices downward, but the question is by how much. Prices differ but should fall by 40% to enable truly active exports."
"Kavala is also one week late. The harvest will begin on August 5 with the Victoria variety, and the late varieties will follow by the end of August. The last variety to commence will be Italia in early September. Local vineyards have benefited from better weather conditions compared to Crete and Corinth. Temperatures were mild, and there was no rainfall during the blossom. All in all, I expect a 20% increase in our volumes compared to last season," Mr. Chrysanidis stresses.
© Chrysanidis Bros SA
He also adds: "The expansion of new patented, seedless varieties continues in Kavala, with growers broadening their selection. Formerly, there were only four varieties from a single breeder; now, there are many new ones replacing Thompson Seedless, which has declined to less than 10% of total acreage. This substitution has driven the real increase in production in Kavala, as with Thompson Seedless, we used to harvest 15–20 tons per hectare, whereas now we reach 25–30 tons. Even domestic consumption has been shifting toward the new varieties."
For more information:
Charalampos Chrysanidis
Chrysanidis Bros SA
Tel: +30 259 409 2479
Email: [email protected]
