Peaches: World first for Greece – At the top of preserve exports

Greece continues to hold first place, by quite a lead, in the world in peach preserve exports, while it holds the second place in production. Conversely, the main rival of Greece, China, occupies the first position in production and the second in exports.

The important and key role of Greek production in the world market was highlighted at the 15th World Congress of producers and processors of fruit – peach preserve, held in Pelotas, Brazil, with the participation of the eight main countries (Greece, Argentina, Brazil, USA, China , Spain, South Africa and Chile).

“It is, of course, necessary to maintain the competitiveness of Greek products by improving yields and performances throughout the entire production – distribution and trade chain. The cored peach was, is, and will continue to be a mainstay of the economy of Pella and Imathia, as well as the neighboring regions”, emphasizes the Union of Canners of Greece (EKE).

What the data show

Major producers, such as China and Greece, maintained their positions. According to what EKE quotes, Greece is still by far the first exporter of peach preserve worldwide and the second producer. Conversely, China is by far the first producer and second exporter.

The rest of the countries either reduced the area they cultivate with a corresponding decrease in production, or even though they reduced the cultivated area, they maintained the level of final production, improving cultivation care and using new, more productive varieties.

At about the same level is the cultivation of cored peaches

More specifically during the last five years:

Greece maintained approximately the same level of core peach cultivation (±190,000 stremma). However, production shows spectacular fluctuations due to climatic conditions (lowest year in 2021 with 275,000 tons and best in 2022 with 450,000 tons).

China delivered solid volume production at ±750,000 tons. They mainly use jars and less metal boxes for processing. They export about 150,000 tons mainly to the USA and Japan. It is interesting to note here that China is the most important table peach producer worldwide with production levels exceeding 15,000,000 tons.

Argentina reduced cultivated area by 20%. However, its production capacity was stable at 110-120,000 tons. It is due to the concentration of cultivation and the use of new varieties. It was reported that the new varieties they use yield about 8-9 tons per acre. The average yield of all varieties amounts to 5 tons/hectare.

Brazil has slightly reduced cultivated area and production. Extremely small yields per acre and reduction of compost by around 20%. It will again be an important destination for Greek compost if the EU– MERCOSUR trade agreement is signed.

Spain shows a 10% reduction in processed quantity. Its final production is consistently below 3,000,000 c/c while its exports are limited to below 1,000,000thousand kilos. It had particular losses in 2022.

In the USA we have a decrease in cultivated area and production of about 17% in the last five years. Large imports of around 5,000,000 thousand kilos mainly from China and Greece. The labor cost is extremely high, approaching 20USD/hour.

In South Africa, the cultivated area decreased by 20%, but not the production, which in recent years amounts to approximately 150,000 tons. Of these a fixed size of about 80,000 are used for preserves. the production of which in the last year amounted to 2,300,000 thousand kilos and 85% of it is exported. Also a significant part of the production (40,000 tons) is available as fresh.

Finally, in Chile the cultivated area decreased by 25%. The production fluctuates steadily around 150,000 tons compared to more than 200,000 at the beginning of the five-year period. Compost production also decreased by 25% but exports are stable at 2,000,000 m/y per year. Big naturally is the production of concentrated juice which reaches the level of 27-30,000tons.

“Rendezvous” in China

China will host the next CanCon in 2025.

It should be noted that the conference takes place every two years, but this time due to special circumstances (COVID-19) five years have passed since the last one. Years marked by significant changes in the balance of the industry.

At the 15th Congress, Greece was represented by EKE (Union of Canners of Greece), with its president, Mr. Konstantinos Apostolou, Ms. Sofia Konopisopoulou from the DANAIS company and Mr. Nikos and Alexandros Christodoulou of the CHB company.