Strawberries market in Greece

Earlier Report Observations

Greek strawberry production demonstrated consistent growth from 59.3 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 107.7 thousand tonnes in 2023. This increase was initially driven by a 10% expansion of cultivation area in 2018 and the subsequent introduction of new strawberry varieties with improved traits, such as intense red colour, in 2019. Exports concurrently rose sharply from 29.4 thousand tonnes to a peak of 75.3 thousand tonnes in 2022, fueled by stronger penetration of European markets and a strategic pivot from Russia to Central European destinations after the outbreak of war in Ukraine.

The domestic market volume experienced significant fluctuations, stabilizing near 30 thousand tonnes between 2018 and 2020 before dropping to 18.4 thousand tonnes in 2021 as exports surged to 68.4 thousand tonnes. During this period, stricter quality and appearance criteria enforced by supermarket chains influenced grower practices, potentially affecting domestic supply. Market volume recovered to 24.6 thousand tonnes in 2022 despite reported labour shortages in key growing regions and increased production costs linked to global energy and raw material price shocks.

In 2023, the domestic market volume jumped to 40.3 thousand tonnes, a result of declining exports to 67.7 thousand tonnes alongside continued production growth. Preliminary 2024 trade data shows exports rebounding to 80.1 thousand tonnes, underscoring the sector's sustained export focus.

Production strawberries in Greece

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Greece maintained the 17th position globally in strawberry production volume.

Top producers of strawberries, 2017-2020

World map of production of strawberries, 2017-2020

Greece's strawberry production volume increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 84 220 tonnes of strawberries, marking a 13.2% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 13.6%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 4.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 59 330 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 20.0%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase of 25.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Greece's strawberry production value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 125.4 million US dollars, representing a 22.6% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 31%, corresponding to an annualized growth rate of 9.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 82.2 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 14.1%. Meanwhile, 2019 recorded the largest increase of 24.4%.

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

Exports strawberries from Greece

Exports in kind, t

Strawberry exports from Greece increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Greece exported 54 967 tonnes of strawberries, indicating a notable gain of 21.8% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 115.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 29.2%.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that Greece's strawberry exports in kind were not heavily concentrated on a few key destinations. Germany accounted for 20.8% of exports, Estonia for 16.4%, and Romania for 11.2%. Together, these three countries represented only 48.5% of total export flows.

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

Strawberry shipments from Greece increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Greece exported strawberries worth 81 871 thousand US dollars, reflecting a gain of 32.0% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 148.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 35.5%.

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

The structure of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 points to a diversified set of partners. Germany accounted for 27.9% of export value, Estonia for 11.1%, and Romania for 10.9%. Collectively, these three countries represented only 49.9% of total flows, while the remaining 50.1% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Imports strawberries to Greece

Imports in kind, t

There were noticeable fluctuations in import performance during the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 269 tonnes, showing an intense decrease of 43.0% from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 581 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 165.5%. In 2019, imports experienced the largest decline of 70.1%. Overall, imports varied by a factor of 5.9 from the high in 2018 to the low in 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria stood out as the main market for strawberry imports in kind, accounting for 45.1% of the total. The Netherlands followed with 28.4%, and Italy with 8.8%. Together, these three countries represented 82.3% of total import flows.

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

Greece's strawberry import volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume amounted to 1 108 thousand US dollars, marking a dramatic drop of 35.9% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 52.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -21.8%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands concentrated 80.6% of total imports in value terms, while the remaining volume was shared among many countries with smaller individual shares.

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

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