"This summer's onion season has been the greatest that I can remember," says Mr. Yannis, an experienced onion trader, co-owner of Agrodiktyo, a growing-packing company in Thebes, Greece. As he says: "From mid-July until the first week of September, EXW prices have stood at about 0,40 euros/kg, with blond onions being slightly more expensive. Such a price trend has never occurred before, and, sincerely, we did not expect it at all, given that Thebes, the most important Greek onion-growing region, has been yielding 50-60 tons per hectare for this late summer crop. There are very few farms with lower production, and they do not fall below 40 tons. We are also getting onions of all sizes."
© Agrodiktyo
Agrodiktyo commercializes about 10.000 to 12.000 tons of onions per year, both from its own cultivation and from partnering growers. "We sell our products both abroad and to the domestic market, to retailers, wholesalers, and the HO.RE.CA. industry. So far, the Greek demand has been very strong, aided by the tourist season, but also the Greek supermarket chains, which function according to the pure norm of supply and demand balance, are buying at good prices. The supermarkets abroad set supply programs, but the negotiations with them will begin on September 15th. Currently, export pallets consist almost exclusively of red onions, but not as much as earlier, in July," says Mr. Mantzaris.
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He also adds: "The majority of the Greek crop consists of red onions. Despite the good sales pace, we are able to put good quantities of product in storage. We are at the peak of this stage, and we will keep putting onions into the warehouses until September 20th. Thanks to the excellent crop quality, we can keep them stored until March."
© Agrodiktyo
As for the next phase of the season, the trader from Thebes sees increased competition. "We have to attribute this good market development to the late harvest beginning in other Greek regions. Larissa, Kozani, and Evros are, indeed, late zones, but normally they enter markets in mid-August. This time, they have not entered the markets until September's arrival, but from now on their onions will make their presence felt," Mr. Mantzaris concludes.
For more information:
Yannis Mantzaris
Agrodiktyo
Tel: +30 2262 028 300
Mob: +30 6944 166 522
Email: [email protected]