Satisfaction prevails in the ranks of producers in general.
In a repeat of last year’s good year in terms of their product prices, strawberry producers are hopeful. Although costs have gone up, good exports, as well as the progress of the product in the domestic market, creates expectations for the coming months.
High expectations in Achaia, well done demand
Mr. Vassilis Katsikis has been cultivating strawberries for fifteen years, at the beginning of organic cultivation, but today of Integrated Management in the area of Sageika Achaia. He owns his product with the Virginia brand, in the central vegetable market in Athens, while he has 7 grocery stores in the area of Patras. “We started about 15 years ago with organic product exclusively, but now we make strawberries Camarossa and Victory, integrated management. The demand is good, there is not much in the market and the product is doing well, like last year and has prospects. In organic the yields are small, in the order of 2 tons per acre, while in conventional they reach 5 tons per acre. Last year the average price was 1.5 euros per kilo, as we came to sell 2.5 euros per kilo. I think this will continue this year, especially for the very quality product, that is, it will go very well commercially. Many exports also contribute to this. We are currently cutting Camarossa, but also Victory. There is a lot of interest in our region for cultivation, but for someone new, who wants to start over, they have to invest an amount of 8,000 euros per acre, as production and material costs have gone up very high.”
Organic strawberry Laconia with 6 euros in the popular market
Mr. Stratos Sarantakos, producer of greenhouse vegetables from the region of Laconia with 50 acres of cultivation in total along with the trees he has stressed to the Agrotypos in relation to strawberries the following: “we have a small area with a greenhouse, plus some acres with tree crops, so we have production in many species, vegetables, fruits etc. and trade them ourselves in the folk. All our species are biological. As for the Strawberry, we have started cutting since last week, it is a variety of Camarossa and is certified organic. Currently there are not many produced quantities, but also in general, which is why prices have taken the rise. Consumers are generally looking. We sell to the folk of Sparta, which is fallen generally. We have managed and are doing well, despite the fact that the production costs and the materials we use are up 20 to 30%. We sell organic strawberry 6 euros per kilo and the consumer prefers us. Yields are at 2 tons per acre, but there are areas with larger yields. In general, our production is reduced. Strawberry is the third year we give and we are doing very well with good quality. Other problems, we don’t have. We planted on October 15th and we will have product all over the next few months. Fortunately, there is demand.”
Bikas Alexandros
A source: https://www.agrotypos.gr
