The reality of the peach sector, both table and industrial, is difficult, but this difficult situation is the cause of opportunities provided that the right solutions are implemented. In this overriding issue, namely to provide the right solutions, focused the speakers of the International Peach Conference of the Freskon Exhibition. There follows a summary of the data and views submitted.
Starting with the Greek peach cultivation data, these are - for table trees, 13.526 hectares and 18.770 hectares for industrial, with a total of 32.296 acres. As stated in the Conference the above areas could mean a production significantly higher than today, but yields are small, as the cultivation process is expensive and producer prices low, so many cares are omitted and even estates are abandoned.
The European competition
Worldwide, on the basis of data provided in 2017, China is at the top of production with over 14,000,000 tonnes, followed by Spain with almost 1,800,000 tonnes and Italy with 1,250,000 tonnes. Greece is fourth in the ranking with 940,000 tons, but what is more interesting is that Greece, despite its soil-climatic characteristics, brings its products to the market by the end of May, that is, one month and a half later than the competitive countries in Europe, even from France, with has much less production, as these countries are starting to export their products from the beginning of April. We note that Greek exports are being pressured by Spanish, as Spanish production has been increased by 50% over the last six years.
The situation in the US
Resuming the state of the international markets, it is worth mentioning in the United States of America as, according to the data provided by the Congress, it is the fifth largest producer country in the world, with 775,000 tonnes, in the southern states, with California first. Yet here too, production is downward, following the downward trend in consumption of fresh and industrial peaches, which has a depth of almost forty years. In general, what the world peach industry records, is that consumers are removing from its product, for the sake of apples and tropical sweet fruits such as pineapples.
The change will come from the subjects
Notwithstanding the above observations and moves that need to be done in order to improve the image of the Peach Sector, they are generally unlikely to be able to do so on their own. Speakers have been very much spoken about more drastic interventions, which should be aimed at reducing production costs. As has been pointed out in all notes, the present form of orchards with the sparse three branches trees, has many disadvantages, both in terms of quantitative and qualitative crop yields, and in the cost of production as they do not allow it to be mechanised. A solution to this issue could be the reformation of the orchards.
For more information:
Fotis Karampetsos
Τ: 210 4812 212
Email: fotis@froutonea.gr