Greek Produce rides the waves

As April is drawing to its end, 2010 seems to be going well for most produce shipped out of Greece. Weather has been particularly favorable though out winter and spring. Greece – so far - has been spared the adverse conditions seen in other producing countries. Citrus, kiwi, strawberries, potatoes, cucumber are all up compared to 2009.

Still the coming months are full of uncertainty. The country's financial impasse is tackled by the Government the EU and the IMF. Of course nobody knows what measures will be taken in the effort to stabilize the financial sector and what repercussions this "restructuring" of the country will have on the produce sector. A possible negative effect may be temporary increases in the cost of financing. Other aspects of the cost however, are expected to improve like logistics, labor and services (particularly from the public sector). Probably things will get tougher before they get any better.

But it certainly is not all doom and gloom! Plants have not stopped growing and the sun is definitely shining. A much needed clean up is expected in the sector with sanitizing effects. As the going gets tougher, serious packers will emerge stronger and that can only mean good news for customers and consumers alike.