According to the latest data of ELSTAT, processed by the Association of Greek Exporters and Distributors of Fruits, Vegetables and Juices (INCOFRUIT-HELLAS), "the Greek export of fresh fruits and vegetables during the first seven months of 2016 increased by 34.7% in volume compared with the corresponding period of 2015 and amounted to 1,076,279 tonnes, while the value increased by 18.3% to 598.815 million Euro, showing some signs of fatigue in July compared to the previous six months."
Fruits
During the first seven months of 2016, fruit exports grew by 36.7% in volume and by 20% in value and amounted to 918,106 tonnes worth 485.301 million Euro.
In terms of volume growth, the most important fruits were mandarins (+101%), oranges (+78%), strawberries (+12.4%) and apples (+12.4%).
Vegetables
Vegetable exports grew by 24.6% in volume compared with the same months of 2015, totalling 158,173 tonnes, while their value increased by 11.7% and amounted to 113.512 million Euro.
The most noteworthy growth was that of cucumbers, up 30.5%, and tomatoes, with a 20.2% increase in volume.
Imports
At the same time, there was a decrease in the volume of imports. Vegetables recorded a -10.7% fall in volume and -2.5% in value, while fruit recorded a -1.7% drop in volume and an increase of 1.7% in value. The shipments consist mainly of tropical fruits (pineapples, bananas, dates) as well as apples and pears.
"We believe that the export of fresh fruit and vegetables will continue growing at the same rates and there are good prospects for the production of winter fruits (citrus, kiwifruit, apples, etc.). We believe that the the year will close with our exports exceeding 1,600 thousand tonnes worth 1,200 million Euro," the special adviser of INCOFRUIT-HELLAS, Georgios Polichronakis, said in a statement.
Source: iefimerida.gr
