The year 2022 closed with a positive sign for Cretan exports, according to the provisional data of Hellenic Statistical Agency-ELSTAT edited by the Exporters Association of Crete. Cretan exports, not including petroleum products, reached the amount of 682.10 million euros and 418,820 tons, compared to 615.70 million euros and 415,536 tons in the corresponding period last year, showing an increase equal to 10.8% in value and 0.8% in quantity and breaking every previous record of the last 10 years at least.
Sectors
The Food and Beverage sector, which constitutes 58.8% of all Cretan exports with 400.9 million euros, shows an increase equal to 14.7%. The Chemicals & Plastics sector comes second, with a share of approximately 26.3% of all Crete’s exports and an increase of 11.6%. This is followed by the sectors of Textiles & Clothing (4.2% share and 10.5% increase), Agricultural Equipment (4.1% share and 12.6% decrease) and with smaller shares Machinery & Devices, Building Materials and other industrial products.
Food
In the agri-food sector, Olive Oil reached 274.4 million euros, occupying 40% of all Cretan exported products and 68.5% in the Food & Beverages category, with an increase of 21% compared to last year’s corresponding period. Horticulture reached 70.1 million euros with a decrease of 1.5%, Fruits reached 13.5 million euros and a decrease of 27.8% and with smaller percentages followed by Fish & Seafood, Dairy, the Water – Soft Drinks – Juices category, Wine, Honey and Meat & its Preparations.
Industry
Of the products outside the agro-food sector, the exports of plastic films and sheets, plastic packaging items, nets for agricultural use and dyes are important.
Markets
Regarding markets, the main buyers of Cretan products are Italy (26% share), Germany (17.6%), France (6.1%), the Netherlands (5.2%) and Spain ( 4.9%). The top ten buyers include Poland, the USA, Romania, Bulgaria and the United Kingdom.
For the Food & Beverage sector, the main buyers are Italy, with exports reaching 161.8 million euros, Germany with 82.3 million euros, Spain with 18.2 million euros, Poland with 15.4 million euros and in fifth place Cyprus with 12 million euros.
For the Chemicals & Plastics sector, the main buyers are Germany with 24.2 million euros, France with 22.2 million euros, the Netherlands with 13.3 million euros, Spain with 11.7 million euros. euros and finally Italy, with 10.5 million euros.
2022 was an excellent year for Crete’s exports, and decisive for the course of the island’s export performance. Although it initially seemed like it would be a difficult year, with the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, the jump in energy and fuel costs, the huge cost of transportation and raw materials, finally our exporters managed to cope and stimulate the local economy.
Latest News
ETC Report: Greece 3rd Most Popular Destination for Europeans
Italy and Spain are tied as the top destinations, each attracting 8% of travelers
Greece Battles EC to Protect Rice Industry and Public Health
Together with several other EU countries, Greece successfully blocked the European Commission's proposal to increase allowable levels of a banned pesticide commonly found in rice imported from southeast Asia
Eurostat: 3.2% Annual Inflation in Greece in April
The data shows that Greece ranks seventh in overall inflation within the eurozone and second in food inflation
Intrum’s 2024 Report Unveils Greek Businesses Embrace Digitalization for Growth
Looking ahead, over 40% of businesses prioritize development for 2024, with 65% recognizing the potential of digital business models as sustainable investments
IOBE: Mild Drop in April Business Confidence Index (BCI) in Greece
The positive balance of expectations for employment witnessed a marginal decline, while the index for production forecasts also recorded a mild drop
Greek PM Mitsotakis Calls on EU to Intervene Over Multinationals’ Pricing Policy
Speaking about price fairness, the Prime Minister emphasized, "Europe should also mean similar or uniform prices for the products sold by our multinational corporations.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions: 4% Decrease in EU, 0.3% Rise in Greece in Q4 2023
The EU's GDP remained stable with a marginal 0.2% increase in fourth quarter of 2023
HEREMA CEO: High Expectations from Natgas Exploration Off Crete
3D seismic surveys were conducted in the two offshore blocks west and southwest of Crete by a consortium comprised of ExxonMobil and HelleniQ Energy
EC Spring Forecast: Greek GDP at 2.2 in 2024, 2.3% in 2025
Besides Greek GDP inflation is expected to drop by a substantial 2.4% in 2024, settling at 2.8% from 4.2% in 2023 with 2025 recording a further decline to 2.1%
EBRD Raises Outlook for Greek GDP to 2.3% in 2024, 2.6% in 2025
Key downside risks remain, associated with possible delays in deploying Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) funds and weaknesses in key export markets and tourism source countries