Cretan avocados close their season with increased volume and international prestige

Agrocreta, one of Crete's main exporters, concludes its green variety campaign and focuses on Hass, with a 20% increase in its annual volume and growing demand abroad.

The avocado season in Crete is entering its final phase with the harvest of green varieties, such as Fuerte, now complete, and the focus shifting to Hass avocados. According to Antonis Kokkalakis, owner of Agrocreta, production has increased by approximately 20% compared to last year, although this year the fruit sizes are smaller, likely due to water scarcity. While the usual target is sizes between 16 and 22, most of the current production is concentrated between sizes 20 and 26, which restricts access to certain more demanding markets.

Despite pressure on producer prices, sustained growth in consumption has allowed for strong sales levels. Kokkalakis points out that the Hass avocado market differs significantly from the green avocado market, traditionally preferred by consumers in Greece and the Balkans. While local markets demand quick sales and green fruit, Hass export markets require more stable, long-term business relationships. This shift in consumer habits is underway, with Greek and Balkan consumers beginning to appreciate the taste and texture of the Hass avocado.

Crete continues to expand its avocado-growing area and is gaining prestige as a source of high-quality fruit. Agrocreta works with 80 Global GAP-certified producers under a sustainable and controlled cultivation model. In his more than six years of exporting avocados, Kokkalakis has noticed a maturing market, with fewer price disputes and a growing appreciation for the quality of Cretan produce in international markets. Avocados, even surpassing oranges, have become the core of the business.

Source: freshplaza.es