The Cretan beef tomato season is drawing to a close, leaving a bad taste for the local growers. "The early plantings of beef tomatoes were awarded good prices. However, any tomatoes that came later suffered from low demand. Currently, the older planted tomatoes still available have softened due to the warm weather, and grower prices stand at €0,50 per kg. There are only a few recent plantings that offer good quality, and their price reaches €1,00," says Mr. Panagiotis Kefalas, owner of the Cretan company Lion Fruit.
"Current varieties available are Nisos, Ekstasis, and Lesvos. However, they will not be available much longer. Uprooting has advanced, and I believe that in 30 days, production will be over. Furthermore, current yields are also limited. Soil cultivation stands at 120-130 tons per hectare, while hydroponic cultivation stands at 200-250 tons. It is positive, though, that Cretan growers have managed to face both Tuta Absoluta and ToBRFV this season thanks to diligent spraying and the use of new beneficial insects. I have also opted for the Lesvos variety, and I am satisfied with its resistance to ToBRFV," says the Greek entrepreneur.
Beef tomatoes are suffering from low demand due to the seasonal reorientation of the Balkan markets toward products from other origins. Only the domestic market continues to request beef tomatoes. However, even domestic demand is limited because market preferences have shifted toward mini tomatoes.
"Current prices for mini tomatoes fluctuate at a high level, between €1,50 and €2,00 per kg. The prices are stable all year round, despite the end of exports, because when exports stop, the tourist season begins. Mini tomatoes are an extremely sought-after product in the HO.RE.CA sector, whose demand increases from May to October. Restaurants in Athens and the Greek islands prefer mini tomatoes to prepare the so-called Green Salad, instead of the formerly prevailing choice, the Greek Salad (Village Salad) made with beef tomatoes," Mr. Kefalas stresses.
He also adds: "Mini tomatoes are expanding in Crete as they have proven to be tastier and more attractive, while they suffer fewer problems from viruses and other diseases compared to beef tomatoes. Our company has chosen to focus on the Lobello variety."
Finally, the next vegetable planting cycle will begin in August and conclude in October. Lion Fruit is preparing to welcome the new season with a new modern greenhouse of 1 hectare that will host the hydroponic cultivation of beef tomatoes. The company plans to soon expand this greenhouse to 3 hectares.
For more information:
Panagiotis Kefalas
Lion Fruit
Tel: +30 284 204 1066
Mob: +30 694 761 5648
Email: [email protected]