Last season was marked by extremely high prices for Greek kakis. According to Nikos Minas, a kaki grower and packer from Skydra, "Rojo Brillante was paid to growers at 0,70 euros/kg, and Jiro at 0,40 euros/kg. Greek Jiro kakis were exported to Jordan, while Rojo Brillante was exported to the domestic and European markets. These high prices were achieved thanks to the significant shortage of Spanish products. However, I don't think that we are going to see them repeat in the upcoming season."
© Sweet Lotus
As the Greek entrepreneur stresses, this time the circumstances are the opposite of last season. "It is now we who have little product on our trees, while Spanish production is recovering. Our trees are generally empty due to the damage caused by the frost of last spring. I assess the average losses at 70% of the total crop. Since the harvest will begin at the end of September or the beginning of October, it is rather early to make predictions about quality. However, the fact that the fruits that survived the frost are generally gathered at the upper part of the trees is not favorable for their size development. Fruits need more space to gain weight."
© Sweet Lotus
"Therefore, I am not very optimistic about the price trend of this season. Spaniards have the power to rule even the Greek market, and I don't think that we will see prices higher than those paid last season. The scenario of getting less money for fewer fruits is also on the table," he adds.
© Sweet Lotus
Minas also comments on the level of work done with kakis in Greece: "Rojo Brillante plantings were once again expanded in northern Greece. Jiro plantings were also expanded, but only among growers who have been active for years in kaki cultivation. What kaki lacks in Greece is proper, specially designed facilities for the deastringency process. Therefore, we also lack the respective know-how. However, the Greek kaki crop is not yet big enough to justify such investments, which cost 50,000 to 60,000 euros. So the work can still be done in other facilities. The Greek kaki community can learn a lot from the Spaniards in this part of the job, and communication between them would be really useful for the Greek side."
For more information:
Nikos Minas
Sweet Lotus
Tel: +30 697 182 7277
