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Greece’s canned fruit industry is bracing for its most difficult year in at least four years, with exports expected to drop to 240,000 tonnes in 2025 — even lower than the 243,000 tonnes shipped in 2024.

According to Kostas Apostolou, president of the Greek Canners Association (EKE), exports have been falling at an average rate of 3% annually since 2022, a seemingly small number that has nonetheless triggered deep concern across the sector. “The downward trend is systematic, not temporary,” he stressed.

Global pressures squeeze Greek producers

The industry is facing a “triangle of pressure” — intense competition from China, depressed international prices, and large leftover stocks from last year, all compounded by poor-quality stone fruit in 2025. Apostolou warns that these factors have created an “explosive” mix of uncertainty, making market recovery a distant prospect.

Exports once exceeded 300,000 tonnes in peak years, but have been steadily sliding from 264,000 tonnes in 2021 to current levels. In value terms, canned fruit, juices, and frozen fruit exports bring around €500 million annually to the Greek economy.

Calls for strategic trade deals

EKE is urging swift progress on trade agreements with Mexico, Mercosur countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay) and India, arguing these could provide much-needed relief. “Careful and timely actions by exporters and the government will determine whether Greece strengthens its international presence or suffers further losses,” Apostolou said.

Smaller harvest, manageable supply

This year’s clingstone peach harvest — the main raw material for Greek canned fruit — is down 30% to 260,000 tonnes. However, the association says the reduced supply is still more than enough to meet demand given the current market climate. Producer prices are holding steady at €0.35–€0.37 per kilo, and cooperation between processors and growers remains stable.

Founded in 1995, EKE represents 16 processing plants producing canned peaches, pears, apricots, fruit salad, juices, and frozen fruit, employing more than 10,000 people and supporting over 12,000 farming families across key agricultural regions in northern and central Greece.