Demand for Greek cherries is expected to grow in western andnorthern Europe this year, thanks to large-scale investments in newvarieties and grading technology being made by Greek producers.
GeorgeKallitsis, export manager for leading Greek cherry grower ProtofanousiFruits, told Fruitnet that the development of new varieties, which heclaimed offered improved sizing, shelf-life and overall quality, weredriving demand in key markets.
Mr Kallitsis said top producers,Protofanousi among them, had invested in new grading machinery inrecent years, which made sure the fruit met clients’ size requirementsand had a uniform appearance in final packing.
Protofanousi,which exports around 80 per cent of its production – estimated at 500tonnes this year – supplies principally the Netherlands, Germany andthe UK. It also ships smaller quantities to Russia, Romania andBulgaria.
Mr Kallitsis said the brand is fast gaining a strongreputation in the UK, while he also expects demand from Germany, theNetherlands and Russia to increase. He said Italy and France were alsolikely to be added to Protofanousi’s export markets this season.
AlthoughGreek growers face competition from Turkey, Mr Kallitsis believes thereis “enough demand for the available volumes from both countries”.
