Apples from Greece: Increased Production and Exports

The total harvest area of apples in Greece is around 13K hectares. Over 50% of apples produced in Greece are red varieties, predominately the Red Delicious variety. In 2019, production volume is expected to be higher than in 2018 due to favorable weather conditions and increased production from farmers expecting higher international demand. The demand for Greek apples has increased in Arabic countries and the Indian market recently opened up for Greek exporters. 

The Greek apples are harvested from August to October. After the harvest, the apples are stored in smart fresh boxes and are available all year round. The Greek apple price starts off at around 0.75 EUR/kg when the new crops are harvested in August. The price decreases slightly as the season goes by. There is also a small decrease in price when the Polish apples enter the market around September and October. The global average wholesale price of Polish apples is around 0.42 EUR/kg and their low price puts slight downward pressure on Greek prices. However, the Greek apples have higher quality than Polish apples, so they do not compete directly and the slight price dip is insignificant. According to Amaltheia Yada P.C., a Greek apple exporter, the Greek Red Delicious apples are known for their high quality and taste. They have a Brix level between 13 and 14 and coloration more than 80%. The average Brix level for apples is between 10 and 12. Besides the Red Delicious variety, the company also exports other varieties: Gala apples, Granny Smith apples, and Golden apples.

In 2018, Greece exported 36.1 million USD worth of apples. After reaching the peak export value in 2015, the export value has been decreasing ever since as producers prioritized the domestic market. However, according to Amaltheia Yada P.C., export in 2019 is expected to increase. The increase in export is mainly driven by increased demand from Arabic countries and the opening of the Indian market. The company has “launched marketing promotions in Arabic regions in order to obtain more buyers,” states Polina Aggeli, an export administrator at Amaltheia Yada P.C.

Previously, the Indian government did not allow Indian importers to import apples from Greece and other European countries. Now, the Greek government has signed a phytosanitary agreement with the Indian government, allowing Greek exporters to ship their apples to India. The apple market in India is growing, and due to India’s high population, the country presents opportunities for Greek exporters. However, the Indian apple market is highly competitive. Major apple exporting countries to India are the US, Chile, and New Zealand, and they have significant market shares, as they have been exporting to India for a long time. Fortunately for Greek exporters, the Indian government imposed a retaliatory tariff on US apples in June 2019, which is expected to decrease US apple exports to India by over 50%.