From the garden to the shelf: how low fruit prices are "soar up"

Summer fruits tend to become a luxury item. On the shelves of supermarkets they are exposed at six times the price (from the original price, for which they “leave” the field), driving to despair consumers, exhausted by prolonged inflation.

Peaches from 0.65 euros, for which they “leave” the field, reach a price of even 3.5 euros / kg; nectarines from 0.75 euro/kg go to large chains at 4.50 euro/kg; and apricots from 0.70 euros / kg get to our table at 4 euros / kg.

However, such a big difference in price, which is wound up from first hand to the end user, is not a new phenomenon. And despite the fact that farmers assess the purchase price as “good”, in many cases the agricultural production sector does not cover the costs. The cost remains at a particularly high level.

The production of apricots in Corinth has decreased by 40-50%, which is associated with warm winters and the absence of low temperatures, since apricots need a cold period to grow. The result was poor flowering and the absence of a good “ovary” in the fruit.

The price for which the Corinthian apricot “leaves” the field varies, according to the president of the agricultural cooperative Kiatu Traganas (Αγροτικού Συνεταιρισμού Κιάτου Τραγάνας) Christos Georgas, from 0.68 to 0.70 euros / kg. “If a lot of products were produced, then the farmer at such prices would receive a daily wage. But production costs are high,” said Mr Georgas.

As he explains, “high prices for products are formed due to “barrenness (lack of fruit name) as well as a long chain: “when coming from the manufacturer, the packaging department will deliver a standardized product to supermarkets at almost 1.20 euros / kg. From now on the price will be increased by large chainsso the consumer will eventually have to fork out.”

It should be noted that although apricots leave the field at 0.70 euro/kg, they reach the consumer, even if he buys fruit in large chains, at 4 euro/kg.

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