Page 20 - October freshletter_UK

18 FRESHLETTER

ÒApples

FEW AND WITH QUALITY PROBLEMS

The apples harvest is in full swing and as the first samples showed, this year’s production volume will
finally be reduced compared to last year, while the quality of the fruit has left the traders unsatisfied.

We are in the 37th week and there is a strong mobility at the ap- Agia: Harvesting in red apple varieties is coming to an end, with
ple producing sites as the harvest is in full swing and the latest Producer prices forming around the 35 cents. This price is satisfac-
trade agreements are being completed. tory, as the quality of the fruit in Agia was not good this year. Spe-
However, the picture we now have about the main production cifically, the fruits were not of good color, shape, and size, while at
centers is as follows: the same time a significant amount of apples were completely un-
suitable for marketing. So the apples that went into the refrigera-
Pirgi, Kozani: Producer prices range from 40-50 cents - with tors or even the ones that have been absorbed so far are much less
most estates closing around 45 minutes. The quality of the fruit in than last year. Indeed, traders in this region estimate that the de-
this area is very lower than the quality of the previous years, as well cline is approaching 40% this year.
informed commercial circles report. In terms of volume of produc-
tion, there is a decrease of about 20-30% compared to last year. Kastoria: Apple production in Kastoria is better this year com-

OCTOBER 2019