Τhe commercial circulation of Greek blackberries and raspberries is progressing with good prices and strong demand. However, according to Mrs. Antonia Psitta and Mr. Aggelos Spiliopoulos, owners of the cultivation and trading company Angelo Exclusive Fruit, based in Lapas, Greek berries always remain within the country's borders. As she explains: "The harvest will conclude at the end of October, and we are already seeing increased yields per hectare. Especially in blackberries, production is up by as much as 50%. For our own blackberries, which come from three-year-old plantings, every year is proving stronger than the previous one. The prices for first-class quality, packaged in 125-gram punnets, are around €1,50 for blackberries and slightly less for raspberries. However, in terms of pricing, we simply cannot compete with Dutch, Spanish, and Italian berries in foreign markets."
© Angelo Exclusive Fruit
In contrast to other berries, Greek strawberries maintain export potential even during the summer months. As the Greek entrepreneurs point out, "We cultivate strawberries all year round, both hydroponically and in soil, and we started with exports to Germany in mid-September. The season of summer strawberries, which in Greece begins on June 15, has so far been marked by lower prices compared to last year. In general, when you invest in summer strawberries, you take on a significant risk, and you must be prepared for possible tears. They do not involve higher production costs, but they face a more difficult and unstable market. Our exports began under good conditions, and overall, until January, when the winter strawberry enters the market, prices can be very good. After that, in general, prices tend to fall."
© Angelo Exclusive Fruit
Angelo Exclusive Fruit also cultivates winter strawberries, with planting starting at the beginning of October. Their choice of varieties follows the pattern of most other growers: "We plant Victory, which remains a reliable choice, but we don't plant Fortuna anymore, since it presents several problems. We also leave Primavera behind. The variety that we will plant for the first time this year is Arwen. It is a new addition to Greek strawberry cultivation, and it has left an excellent impression on all professionals who have tested it," Mrs. Psitta and Mr. Spiliopoulos conclude.
For more information:
Antonia Psitta, Aggelos Spiliopoulos
Angelo Exclusive Fruit
Tel: +30 697 385 0843
Email: [email protected]