There are only a few days left until the end of the harvest in Nevrokopi, the most important potato-growing area in Greece. Mr. Yannis Keskinoglou, president of the Kato Nevrokopi Potato Producers Group, says: "If there is no rain from now on, we can expect to harvest all of the remaining 30 to 40% of our potatoes by the end of October, without losses. The weather conditions have been favorable so far. The good rainfall until the second week of October was very helpful, not only for proper tuber growth but also in avoiding irrigation costs, as the price of water has more than doubled over the last five years."
© Kato Nevrokopi Potato Producers Group
As for the crop characteristics, Mr. Keskinoglou mentions: "I see that the average yield per hectare in Nevrokopi this season stands at 45 tons. I estimate that there is a 10% increase in this season's crop, so we may reach up to 100.000 tons in the whole area. There are also many potatoes belonging to the +50 size category."
© Kato Nevrokopi Potato Producers Group
Speaking about trade, there is a mixed situation: "Sales are progressing at a good pace, but it is impossible for potatoes from Nevrokopi to be sold out before imports from Egypt begin. There is competition coming from other Greek regions, such as Kozani, Thiva, and Achaia, but also from imported products, such as French potatoes, which are falsely sold as Greek. Prices are low across Europe, and the same happens in Greece as well. The grower price for Spunta and other yellow varieties ranges from 0,28 to 0,30 euros/kg. Other varieties cost 0,22 to 0,25 euros. However, we cannot wait for prices to improve before harvesting. If there is heavy rain, our remaining crop will be lost."
Nevrokopi is the coldest area in Greece, but climate change has affected the storage conditions of potatoes, making it necessary for packers to apply cooling technologies. Another problem arises from the use of big bags for storing potatoes. "Previously, potatoes were stored in bulk, but the high labor cost associated with bulk storage led to the use of 1.000 kg bags. Then another problem emerged, as the potatoes in the lower layers could not be properly aerated. So our producers' group changed its storage strategy, investing in pallet boxes. We already have 2.000, and next season we will add another 6.000," Mr. Keskinoglou concludes.
For more information:
Yannis Keskinoglou
Kato Nevrokopi Potato Producers Group
Tel: +30 252 302 1021
Email: [email protected]
https://patatanevrokopiou.gr/en/
