Exporters are warning that the coming Greek grape season is likely to be “tricky.”
Exporter-importer Costas Mathiopoulos said that the still-variable weather conditions are the main cause.
“We are packing at the moment and Thompson Seedless will be in the UK next week,” he said. “Fruit usually arrives in the first week of August so we are not far off that, but the problem is that the sugars have not quite been there until now.” Mathiopoulos believes this has happened because of the hot, dry weather two weeks ago, which stressed plants. “This caused a delay in sugar formation and fruit development,” he explained.
Overall production has been affected to the extent that a percentage of the crop has been lost. “It is not that much of a problem in terms of exports, because the crop in Greece is large enough that there will be sufficient fruit to cover the UK requirement,” he said.
However, he did warn that there might be some issues in terms of sizing. “We may see less large fruit coming to market than usual, but at this stage it is still difficult to say,” he warned.
The first area to come on stream is Crete, and fruit is also being picked by some growers in the next-earliest region of Corinth. But the weather in Greece this week has turned: temperatures have dropped and there has also been some rainfall, which could further complicate the supply picture. “I am sure there will be enough quantity of the right quality to store, but this cold, rainy weather could also have an effect on fruit,” said Mathiopoulos. “We have seen big temperature variations within a week, which can affect production. It is going to be a tricky year.”
