Kiwifruit market in Greece

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, Greek kiwifruit production steadily increased, having doubled since 2014, supported by concentrated cultivation in northern regions like Central Macedonia and Epirus. This growth was reinforced by strict adherence to trade and sanitary specifications, bolstering the reputation of Greek kiwifruit as a quality export product. By 2020, the development of new export markets, including Brazil and Israel through bilateral agreements, further stimulated output.

In the following years, despite pandemic challenges, the sector continued to expand with the introduction of new varieties such as yellow and red kiwifruit to meet rising global demand. By 2023, Greek producers gained additional momentum from reduced production in Italy due to disease and adverse weather, allowing Greece to increase its share in key markets including Europe, China, and the United States. Simultaneously, stricter rules for harvesting, transportation, and packaging, with fixed start dates for the season, aimed to maintain quality and prevent illicit trade.

By 2024, the official opening of Vietnam's market to Greek kiwifruit from March 1, following a phytosanitary inspection, marked a significant milestone reflecting years of systematic export promotion. High external demand led to record export revenues exceeding €305 million and raised producer prices, averaging €1.62 per kilogram. This success spurred substantial new planting, though nurseries faced a shortage of young plants. Greece established itself as the world's third-largest kiwifruit exporter by value, demonstrating sustained growth based on variety diversification and rigorous quality control.

Production kiwifruit in Greece

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Greece was one of the world's top kiwifruit producers from 2017 to 2020, ranking fifth globally by production volume.

Top producers of kiwifruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of kiwifruit, 2017-2020

Greece's kiwifruit production grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 307.4 thousand tons, marking a moderate 7.5% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 51.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 14.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of kiwifruit output in Greece reached 362.1 million US dollars, a sharp 34.5% gain compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value increased by 77.3%, translating to an annualized rate of 21.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 6.0%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 40.2%.

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

Exports kiwifruit from Greece

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, kiwifruit exports from Greece declined. In 2020, export volume stood at 166.0 thousand tons, down 3.1% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 28.2%, with an annualized rate of 8.6%. The peak was in 2019 at 171.3 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 27.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece's kiwifruit exports in volume terms were diversified. Italy accounted for 18.9% of exports, Spain for 11.6%, and Germany for 8.9%, together making up 39.4% of total flows, with no single country holding a clearly dominant position.

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, M $ US

Greece's kiwifruit export value rose for the third consecutive year. In 2020, it amounted to 195.5 million US dollars, a solid 21.2% advance from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 49.6%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 14.4%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Italy, Spain, and Germany were the largest but not dominant buyers of Greek kiwifruit in value terms. Italy accounted for 16.1% of exports, Spain for 13.4%, and Germany for 11.0%, together representing 40.5% of total export value, against a backdrop of numerous smaller partners.

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

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

Imports kiwifruit to Greece

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Greece's kiwifruit imports totaled 2.3 thousand tons, a limited 9.1% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 60%, with an average annual decline of 26.3%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 2.3 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 60.4%. The biggest increase occurred in 2019 at 11.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Chile, and the Netherlands remained the main suppliers of kiwifruit to Greece in volume terms. Italy accounted for 61.5% of imports, Chile for 12.2%, and the Netherlands for 6.4%, jointly forming 80.1% of total imports.

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, M $ US

Greece's kiwifruit import value increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports were valued at 5.6 million US dollars, up 19.6% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 23.1%, with an annualized decline of 8.4%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 4.6 million US dollars, which also saw the largest drop of 36.7%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, Italy, Chile, and the Netherlands continued to be the principal suppliers of kiwifruit to Greece in value terms. Italy accounted for 60.4% of imports, Chile for 11.6%, and the Netherlands for 9.7%, together making up 81.8% 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