Apples, pears and quinces market in Greece

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Greek market for fresh apples, pears, and quinces showed significant fluctuations. The market volume started at 301.9 K t in 2018 but dropped to 282.2 K t in 2019. Production in 2018 was affected by fire blight disease, which caused losses in varieties and cultivated areas, particularly in Thessaly and Macedonia. This bacterial disease limited available supply, contributing to the market contraction the following year. At the same time, cooperatives such as the Zagora cooperative joined the European organization EUROFRU to promote consumption, supporting long-term demand.

The market rebounded to a peak of 324.2 K t in 2020, then gradually declined to 299.8 K t by 2022. These movements occurred without distinct external shocks, likely reflecting natural variability in harvests and trade flows. Exports remained consistently high, regularly exceeding 80 K t, indicating the Greek sector's strong orientation toward foreign markets.

In 2023, the market volume fell more sharply to 260.8 K t, a 13% decrease from the previous year. By 2024, the regulatory environment tightened: inspections by the Ministry of Agricultural Development detected pesticide residue exceedances in pears and quinces, leading to stricter controls. Producers also await approval of state compensation worth €100 million for frost damage, highlighting rising production costs and reliance on government support. Simultaneously, the trend toward organic cultivation of apples, pears, and quinces strengthened, with increased availability of certified products in stores.

Production apples, pears and quinces in Greece

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of apples, pears and quinces, 2017-2020

World map of production of apples, pears and quinces, 2017-2020

In 2019, Greece's production of apples, pears and quinces reached its lowest point at 352.9 thousand tonnes, marking a 2.7% decline. However, by 2020, output rebounded to 384.9 thousand tonnes, representing a modest year-over-year increase of 9.1%. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, production grew by 7.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Greece in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2019, the value of apples, pears and quinces production in Greece experienced its largest decline of 7.2%. The following year, in 2020, output value rose to 214.7 million US dollars, showing a significant 23.8% increase compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value expanded by 33.2%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 10.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Greece in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports apples, pears and quinces from Greece

Exports in kind, K t

In 2018, Greece's exports of apples, pears and quinces reached their lowest volume at 81.1 thousand tonnes. The following year, in 2019, exports surged to 100.2 thousand tonnes, marking the highest level and a substantial 23.6% increase. By 2020, export volumes declined to 85.4 thousand tonnes, representing a 14.7% decrease compared to 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Greece in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Egypt, Bulgaria and Jordan were the three principal markets for Greece's exports of apples, pears and quinces in volume terms. Together, these countries accounted for 71.5% of total exports.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Greece in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2019, Greece's exports of apples, pears and quinces reached their peak value at 49 271 thousand US dollars, showing a significant 17.9% increase. The following year, in 2020, export value declined to 47 669 thousand US dollars, marking a 3.3% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 23.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Greece in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt, Jordan and Cyprus were the primary buyers of Greek apples, pears and quinces in value terms. Egypt accounted for 48.2% of exports, Jordan for 11.4%, and Cyprus for 8.0%. Collectively, these three markets represented 67.5% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Greece in value, 2017-2020

Imports apples, pears and quinces to Greece

Imports in kind, K t

In 2019, Greece's imports of apples, pears and quinces reached their highest volume at 29.5 thousand tonnes, showing a substantial 46.4% increase. The following year, in 2020, import volumes declined to 24.7 thousand tonnes, representing a 16.5% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 26.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Greece in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, North Macedonia, Italy and Poland were the principal suppliers of apples, pears and quinces to Greece in volume terms. North Macedonia accounted for 19.7% of imports, Italy for 19.4%, and Poland for 17.1%. Together, these three countries represented 56.2% of total import volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Greece in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2019, Greece's imports of apples, pears and quinces reached their lowest value at 12 605 thousand US dollars, marking a 17.9% decline. The following year, in 2020, import value rebounded to 18 094 thousand US dollars, showing a substantial 43.5% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 4.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Greece in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Poland and Germany accounted for the largest share of Greece's imports of apples, pears and quinces in value terms. Italy represented 30.3% of imports, Poland 17.0%, and Germany 7.8%. Collectively, these three countries comprised 55.1% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Greece in value, 2017-2020