Production of table grapes in Greece 2008

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and farmer organizations, the 2008 table grape production is estimated at 238,000 MT, compared to 300,000 MT in 2007.

 

The decline in production is primarily attributable to the heat wave which prevailed in August and hit the vineyards on the islands of Crete and Peloponnese.

 

The fresh sultana output, grown on the island of Crete, was reduced by 20 percent. Table varieties grown in the east and central Macedonia were not as affected, allowing some trade to continue. On the contrary, grapes from the south, Peloponnese and Crete, were reduced by almost 30 percent from the previous year.

 

Trade sources report that the significant drop of Greek grape exports observed in the beginning of year 2008, were a result of mistakes and unjustifiable panic among Greek exporters. As a result of these mistakes and panic, clients lost interest in sourcing table grapes from Greece, believing that the Greek output was too small and of bad quality.

 

Some sources believe that this was done intentionally to drive up prices, particularly for the Greek fresh sultana. However, as a result of these market forces, large quantities of Greek table grapes remained unpurchased and buyers preferred to supplement with the cheaper Crimson variety.