In the first quarter of 2024, fresh fruit and vegetable exports showed positive movement, with their value increasing by 5.8% compared to the same period in 2023, according to data from Greece’s statistical authority (ELSTAT) processed by the Association of Greek Enterprises for the Export and Distribution of Fruits, Vegetables, and Juices (INCOFRUIT-HELLAS). The average selling price per unit weight also saw a significant rise of 24.5%.
Despite a notable 15% decrease in export volume, dropping to 458,557 tons from 539,671 tons in the first quarter of 2023, there were positive trends in specific categories. Vegetable shipments increased by 3.5% in volume from January to March 2024, with a slight value increase of 0.3%.
Fruit exports, while facing an 18.7% decline in volume, saw a 7.2% increase in value, totaling 365,185 tons and 422.1 million euros, driven by a 31.9% rise in average prices.
Official ELSTAT data reveals that January 2024 exports decreased by 18.2% compared to January 2023, although average export prices improved by 30.69%. February saw a similar trend, with exports down by 11.5% in volume but average prices increasing by 23.6%. In March, the closure of the Red Sea route led to a 15.1% reduction in export volume, while average unit prices rose by 20.4%.
Conversely, the import of fruits and vegetables surged in the first quarter of 2024, increasing by 17.1% in volume and 20.9% in value compared to the same period in 2023. This trend reverses the patterns of the previous two years and contributes to the reduction of the trade balance surplus, according to George Polychronakis, advisor at INCOFRUIT-HELLAS.
