Such circumstances generate implications for the sales to international markets. “There is a loss of turnover so far. Fortunately, the loss concerns only sales and not clients,” says Mr. Kaplanis. As he adds: “We hope that what we have lost at the beginning of our season, we will gain it back at the end of the season. This requires the German and Polish crops to reach the market late, in order to have time to extend our sales to the latest point possible, the first ten days of June.”

As for the current market state, Mr. Kaplanis stresses that it is quite demanding: “Egyptian imported strawberries are still creating tough conditions for the European ones. German supermarkets want to source cheap strawberries, maybe in order to boost their own low sales, so they buy them from Egypt. Despite their air delivery, Egyptian strawberries remain price competitive. So currently, we end up with a price level that does not correspond to our volume level.”

Greek strawberries debuted with EXW prices at 10 euros/kg, and expectations for the actual period were at 6-7 euros/kg. However, things are different. “Despite the good start, this was just a good snapshot. The rest of the season has been marked by prices lower than last year’s average and lower than initially expected,” the Greek exporter narrates.

The Greek crop will reach high volumes around February 20. Greek Victory still has a weak presence, but it is gradually increasing. What stands out in the current season so far is the increase in Arwen’s cultivation, at the expense of Fortuna. Kaplanis Fruits is one such case. “We have substituted Arwen for Fortuna. We are finally disappointed with this variety, which suffers from Tetranychus and is more susceptible after harvest. On the contrary, Arwen remains firm in the late part of the season, after March 15.”

Mr. Kaplanis is excited with Arwen: “We have also replaced many of our Victory plantations with Arwen. Currently, 70% of our plantations are planted with Arwen. It is earlier than Victory, it can also be planted in pots, and it is more productive. It can reach 50 tons/hectare.”

For more information:
Nikos Kaplanis
Kaplanis Fruits
Tel: +30 26230 71846
Email: kaplanisfruits1@gmail.com