Decisive for the formation of a positive trade balance in the agricultural products sector over the past 8 months, from January to August, was the increase in prices for fruits and vegetables.
This follows from the processed ELSTAT data provided by the Incofruit Hellas Exporters Association, which essentially suggests that the year will end in surplus overall.
In particular, exports of fresh fruits and vegetables for the eight months of 2023 amounted to 1.254 thousand tons, an increase of 13.77% compared to the corresponding period last year, reaching 1.131 billion euros (an increase of 21.6%).
The main heroes of the growth in export value were: cherries, prices for which increased by 37.7%, and peppers (such as “Bulgarian”) by 24.4%.
Oranges rose in price by 22.7%, apples by 21.2%, cucumbers by 20.7% and apricots by 20.4%. The average price for vegetables, according to official data, increased by 7.8%, for fruits – by 6.7%.
The better prices at which they were exported were of decisive importance, especially considering that export volumes of summer fruits and vegetables decreased by 9.5%.
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“The data shows that the year will end with a record surplus in terms of export volumes exceeding 1,700 million tonnes,” says Georgios Polychronakis, special adviser to the Incofruit Hellas Association.
As noted, in 2020, the surplus in the balance of agricultural products was estimated at 510.953 million euros, with the predominant participation in its formation of the sector of fruits, vegetables and products made from them (1.608 billion euros). The balance sheet remained in surplus in 2021 but worsened in 2022.
For the 8 months of 2023, a surplus of 527.991 million euros is already evident (including fruits and vegetables of 1.349 million euros) against a deficit of 425.17 million euros in the corresponding period of 2022 (including fruits and vegetables of 1.349 million euros).
“The remaining months of 2023 are the main season for importing fruits and vegetables into our country. However, it is expected that the year will close with a surplus estimated at 400 million euros,” emphasized Mr. Polychronakis.
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