At 60% of the production is the potato harvest in Messinia, followed by Achaia with 20% and these days the harvest has started in Ilia.
Mr. Giorgos Goumas, a large producer and trader of potatoes from Messinia, tells AgroTypos that “the weather conditions this year were favorable and we have better quality compared to last year.
In Messinia, 2,500 hectares of potatoes are cultivated which are constantly shrinking due to the pressure from the import of Egyptian potatoes, with the main varieties being Voyager, Farida and Spounta.
Satisfactory demand both at home and abroad. Already this week the demand from the supermarkets is increased, while at the same time we have a good flow in exports as well. Exports when they are good go a long way in keeping producer prices at good levels.
Yields due to weather conditions are at good levels. Average yield ranges from 3.5 to 4 tons per hectare, while in the coming weeks they will increase above 4 tons.
The harvest in the region started from the beginning of April with good demand. In the first two weeks producer prices for large sizes were at 60 cents per kilo and for small sizes at 50 cents. In the third week, Achaia also went into production and there was a panic from the producers, resulting in a drop in prices.
Nevertheless, Messinia had an increased producer price compared to Achaia by 5-6 minutes. During this period, the average producer price in Messinia is at 45 cents, while in Achaia at 38 cents. Producers should keep their cool and not rush to harvest early.
Exports are mainly to Poland (requesting small sizes of potatoes) and Romania (requesting large sizes).
Messinia’s potato will be on the market until May 15.”
Mr. Filippos Liakos, a producer who is also involved in the marketing of potatoes from Lakkopetra in Achaia, reports to AgroTypos that “the cost of growing potatoes in our country is high. It ranges from 1,000 to 1,200 euros per acre. At this cost we cannot compete with Egyptian potatoes. At this time, the Greek potato is 10 cents more expensive than the Egyptian potato. Greek potatoes are of higher quality but cannot compete with Egyptian prices.
However, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications should also support the potato producers of our country and carry out strict controls for residues in imports.
About 6,000 acres of potatoes are cultivated in the area, but many are abandoning the crop due to high costs. This year we had a reduction in crop acres and producers expected that the reduced quantities would also bring better prices.
Although we had a good start with a producer price of 60 cents per kilo, then we had a drop in prices and today the average price has reached 40 cents. The potato should leave the field at 50 minutes to provide income to the producer. The weather conditions were favorable and we had no damage, while the yields ranged from 3 to 4 tons per hectare.
However, demand in the market during Holy Week will increase and I estimate that it will remain at good levels after Easter. I hope we get a price increase as well. However, producers should not rush to harvest before ripening.
In exports, the small sizes go to Poland, the Czech Republic and Lithuania, while the large sizes go to Romania and the domestic market.”
agrotypos.gr
