The first greenhouse potatoes have reached the Greek market with very good prices. The acreage this year has been estimated at 1,200 acres, with crops mainly in the Peloponnese, which is approximately 500 acres below last year, and the spring harvest, expected for between 10 and 15 April, will be limited, according to a report from Agrenda.
Producers have reduced their greenhouse and spring potato acreage mainly as a result of the lack of liquidity and the fact that last year Greek potatoes were under much pressure from cheap imports. In any case, supermarket policies are said to be completely different this season compared to last year, according to producers, with retailers preferring Greek potatoes over those imported, for example, from Egypt.
The quality of the first greenhouse potatoes this year is actually very high because of the favourable summer conditions which, according to their producers could result in high yields, which may certainly compensate for the reduced acreage.
It is worth mentioning that the price at origin for greenhouse potatoes, which started being harvested a couple of weeks ago, stands at 47-50 cents per kilo, while last year prices started at 40-42 cents and then started moving upwards.
Also, given the potato shortage affecting many European markets, the Greek growers believe that they have a good chance to sell their product at remarkable prices this year; however, concerns have also been raised amongst many producers regarding the possibility of Greece doubling its potato imports from Egypt, given this year's reduced demand for them from Russia.
