4% decrease in exports of Greek fruits and vegetables in 2014 due to Russia's ban

According to special advisor to the association of Greek exporters of fruits, vegetables and juices Incofruit-Hellas George Polichronakis, a decrease in the value of exports was reported in 2014, which interrupted the upward trend of the past 10 years at the expense of growth in the volume of exports of the order of 9%.

As stated by George Polichronakis, the forecasts until July 2014 were for another positive year. However, the situation changed in the second half of 2014 due to the Russian embargo imposed on the imports of fruits and vegetables from the European Union, which entered into force on 7 August.

According to the association, the decline in exports of Greek fruits and vegetables in August was 7.1% in value and 14.7% in volume compared with the same period of 2103. In terms of exports in September and October, these rates were -13% and -11% compared with the same months of 2013.

Generally, exports of Greek fruits and vegetables to third countries increased by 3.5% in the first 10 months of 2014 compared with the same period of 2013, despite the Russian embargo. The major destination for Greek fruits and vegetables outside the European Union remained Russia with up to 76,000 tons worth about 73 mln euro, followed by Serbia, Macedonia and Albania. However, selling prices were reduced.

In any case, exports of Greek fruits and vegetables to Russia in the period January - October 2014 fell by around 31.1% in volume and 35.1% in value compared with 2013. According to George Polichronakis, exports growth was remarkable in the period before the embargo.