According to estimates by the Association of Greek Fruit, Vegetable and Juice Exporters, INCOFRUIT-HELLAS, fruit and vegetable exports are expected to break all records in 2023, as ELSTAT’s 11-month data show.
In fact, fruit and vegetable exports are forecast to increase by 21% in value in 2023, reaching €1.7 billion, up from €1.399 billion in 2022.
In terms of export volume, it is expected to grow by 8.5% in 2023, compared to the previous year, reaching 1.7 million tons against 1.595 million tons the previous year.
According to the same data, until November 2023 fruit and vegetable exports increased by 10.2% in volume and by 20.7% in value, reaching a total of 1.537 million tons and 1.490 billion euros respectively, compared to 1.395 million tons and 1.234 billion euros in 11 months of 2022.
The weighted average export price was +9.5%, except for winter fruits and vegetables, which, based on November data, exceeded 30%.
However, according to the Association’s estimates, climate change is a decisive factor for the future of production and exports.
As the Association’s Special Adviser, Giorgos Polychronakis, told the Athenian-Macedonian News Agency, “the review of the current regulatory framework, both national and community, is also considered decisive for the future, which gives priority to the control of the management of agricultural holdings and environmental theses, without taking into account the specific characteristics of fruit and vegetable production and its ability to contribute value to the economy and society”.
An additional problem he notes is the shortage of land workers “which increases labor costs in a sector where labor can account for up to 45% of production costs in some crops.”
21.5% increase in Agricultural products
According to the same data, the exports of Greek products increased in the 11th month of 2023 to 9.91 billion euros against 8.88 billion. euros in the same period of 2022.
They represent 21.4% of total Greek exports, compared to 17.9% in 2022, while contributing an additional 1.2 billion euros to the reduction of the country’s trade deficit.
Imports continued their upward trend, with the main “cause” being the increase in tourist traffic in our country.
Until November, imports increased by 11.4% in volume and 8.5% in value, reaching 748,000 tons and 713 million euros.
Exports Europe
By September 2023 in the European Union, imports from third countries had increased by 12% in value, compared to the same period in 2022, reaching 13,907 million euros.
Source: APE – MEB
#Record #year #fruit #vegetable #exports
