Protofanousi Fruits is increasing production to meet the growing demand for Greek strawberries in Russia, according to export manager George Kallitsis.
The company expects to exceed 2,000 tonnes this season, he told Eurofruit, mainly of the Camarosa variety, with smaller quantities of Fortuna and Sabrina also available.
Overall, strawberry production in Greece is increasing year by year, he explained, despite a weather-related setback last season.
'Last year, volumes were hit by the weather,' said Kallitsis, 'but we believe that this year we will make up for those lost volumes.'
Although the season started back in mid-December, the key selling period around April is fast approaching, and it appears that weather conditions in Greece are coming good at just the right moment.
'The only issue this season has been the weather,' said Kallitsis. 'We have had a lot of rain, which affected the quality, with some fruit going mouldy. But conditions have been improving lately, and we expect much better quality in the months to come.'
The majority of Protofanousi's strawberries go to Russia, but smaller quantities are also sent to neighbouring countries like Romania, Bulgaria, Macedonia and Serbia, as well as to the local market in Thessaloniki.
