The Greek Valencia orange season is going through unfavorable conditions. In the prefecture of Laconia, where the majority of this crop is grown, the sorting machines in the packing plants are giving disappointing results for the growers, who see about 30% of their crop being rejected as too small for the fresh market.
"Almost 30% of the harvested Valencia oranges fall short of the fresh market caliber standards and end up going to the juice industry. They are sold at €0,18/kg, including the harvest cost. This is a low price compared to what we see in the international market, and extremely disappointing when we see orange juice sold in supermarkets at €3,50," says Mr. Giorgos Villias, owner of the local growing and packing company Villias Spartadevel.
Mr. Villias adds that even the caliber profile of the remaining volume does not satisfy the growers: "Currently, the average yield is 40–50 tons per hectare. As we said, 30% of this tonnage is rejected. Another 50% of the crop falls into the 60–70 mm range, and finally, only 20% of the total crop belongs to the larger calibers."
Market prospects also vary depending on the caliber profile. "For the small oranges, there is no demand, and their prices have been limited to €0,30/kg. On the contrary, the few large oranges are in high demand, and growers are commanding prices of €0,45 or even €0,50," says Mr. Villias, who adds, "Prices for organic oranges are about 15–20% higher, but their caliber profile is the same as that of conventional fruit."
As he explains: "There are a few growers who produce such oranges and even achieve yields of 70–80 tons per hectare. These are growers who could afford the cultivation costs and carefully applied all the necessary treatments to their orchards. The overall picture in our area, however, is one of production decline year after year, as cultivation becomes unviable."
"Unfortunately, our clients in Germany and the Netherlands mostly ask for large fruit. Moreover, it is impossible to ask them for €0,10 more than what we currently charge. They respond that such an increase would make sales completely impossible against competition from South African and Egyptian fruit," the Greek packer concludes.
For more information:
Giorgos Villias
Villias Spartadevel
Tel: +30 27350 91695
Mob: +30 69445 94980
https://spartadevel.gr/