The fruit coloring has already started in the Gala apple orchards of the lowland of Agia, Greece, as Mr. Giorgos Zeikos, president of the local cooperative Kissavos Agias, says to FreshPlaza. “We are at the beginning of the coloring process. So far, the growth of Gala and the red apples has developed under normal conditions. We hope we experience no prolonged high temperatures during summer, as this would undermine the storage life of our crop. On the other hand, the green apples, such as Granny Smith, have been impacted by the spring frost, and we expect a 30% decrease in our region’s production.”

© A.C. Kissavos Agias
The colouring of Gala apples is already underway in Agia, with the harvest expected ten days earlier.

“However, the spring frost had another impact as well,” reports Mr. Zeikos. “It has precipitated the growth of the apples. We expect to start harvesting our first Gala at the beginning of August. This is ten days earlier than normal, and it is a very good development, given the fact that the market is empty of product.”

© A.C. Kissavos Agias

As the president of the Greek cooperative explains: “Gala apples will be quite enough, but the following red varieties will bring less volume than last season, both in Agia and the other Greek apple growing areas. This is because of different reasons; either because of the frost, such as in Kastoria, or because of the uprootings, such as in Agia, where growers are disappointed by the low prices received for many consecutive seasons. However, we have high hopes for a positive change this season, as neither Italy nor Poland is going to offer an oversupply. Turkey suffers great damage, while Egypt’s warehouses have run out of stock.”

© A.C. Kissavos Agias

“Therefore, we see favorable prospects both for demand and prices, and we think it is possible to commence export right from the beginning of the harvest,” he adds.

© A.C. Kissavos Agias

Finally, what concerns the apple growers of Agia, as is the case with all Greek farmers, is the possibility of losing part of their legitimate European subsidies, due to the huge scandal of subsidies worth millions conceded to fake farmers for several years—a scandal implicating state and government executives that has been sweeping Greece for the past few weeks. Such a loss would be a significant blow for the local apple sector. “We feel anger. We have been losing money for many years now, due to these illicit subsidies that all governments were aware of. We demand that no funds be subtracted from our legitimate subsidies to pay any European forfeit. Those to pay are those who were illegally subsidized and those who helped them,” Mr. Zeikos concludes.

For more information:
Giorgos Zeikos
A.C. Kissavos Agias
Tel: +30 24940 22261
Email: [email protected]