Greek garlic and onions are the prevailing product origins at this part of the season in the Greek market. According to Mr. Nikos Tsimplidis, owner of Golden Gaia, a wholesaler situated in the Central Vegetable Market of Thessaloniki, imported products are almost zero. "Speaking about garlic, there is plenty of Greek product. You can source it very easily. There are also enough sizes available both for large retailers who prefer 50+ and smaller groceries who mostly buy 65+. The cost for buying a 10kg carton box of good quality Greek garlic stands these days at 4,00 euros/kg."
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"However, there is no demand for garlic. I would say that every season is worse than the previous one. New generations are gradually excluding fresh garlic from their diet. Therefore, there is no reason to look also for imported product. I barely saw one arrival of Chinese garlic, which comes at significantly lower prices. Depending on the size, they cost about 2,70-3,00 euros/kg, perfectly sorted and clean, but what's the point if you cannot find buyers?" he wonders.
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As for the rest of the season, Mr. Tsimplidis is not optimistic: "I don't hope that the Christmas holidays will change the game, not even for a short period. During the last four years, Christmas and New Year holidays just provoke a lot of expectations, noise and orders, but finally result in just some good days and leave behind a stock of products that have remained unsold. Anyway, I think that from February on, the good quality Greek garlic will start depleting. This is earlier than last year, when we saw quality deterioration starting in March. Heat during their cultivating season and lack of modern technology warehouses strongly impact their quality."
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The Greek trader notes similar market conditions for onions as well: "There are great stocks of Greek onions, both blond and red. Greek growers have been seduced by the good prices this product got in recent years and it is an easy one to cultivate. Imports should have already commenced from the beginning of this month, but demand for onions is very low as well. Good partners from Austria are asking us to deliver their product at 0,28 euros/kg, while buying Greek onions from the warehouses stands at 0,30-0,35 euros/kg. So, what's the point?"
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For more information:
Nikos Tsimplidis
Golden Gaia
Tel: +30 231 076 4039
Mob: +30 694 678 8844
Email: [email protected]
https://www.golden-gaia.gr/
