Page 21 - October freshletter_UK

What is worrying this year, is not so much
the decline in production, but the low quality

of the fruit. Because of the bad weather
we had at the flowering stage, the apples this

year do not have good color, shape and size

pared to other production areas, while there is no damage from
hail. As a result, many traffickers prefer to buy apples from this
area - and so the Producer price was set at 40-45 minutes, close
to the prices of Pirgi, which are always the highest in our country.

Arnissa-Zervi-Panagitsa: This area has been hit by hail this
year and the damage is great on many estates. This has result-
ed in traffickers being reluctant to enter into agreements with lo-
cal producers. In contrast, the Egyptian traffickers found suitable
ground for action, as prices in the apples in the region formed at
22-25 cents and with these prices load directly from the field for
export.

Zagora: There are many problems with hail in the Zagora area
this year. Alongside these problems, we must add that there is a
significant decrease in production volume, which is close to 30%
compared to last year. According to the cooperative executives of
the region, it seems that at this time good and quality apples will
be very few this year in the Zagora region.

The sales development
The domestic Apple Market is very sluggish at this time, and as
we’ve mentioned in previous reports on apples, some traders still
have unsold apples from last season. As this year has evolved,
last year’s apples will be absorbed relatively easily in the coming
weeks. But what concerns the apples sector right now is Egypt’s
“behavior” as it absorbs the largest quantities, as recorded in the
export table.
So far, as valid trading circles report, shipments to Egypt have
gained pace, and despite they are lower than last year, they are
stable and do not have sharp ups and downs. Note that last year,
the Egyptian Market was “empty”, and this year it has stocks -
and so everything is getting smoother. Of course, departure pric-
es are lower than last year, but what matters now is that if this
absorption rate continues, then the low-quality apples, which are
many this year, will have been absorbed by the Christmas holi-
days- and so, in the coming months the pace will be smoother.

T.O.