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This year’s Kozani yolk production reduced by at least 30% – Producers demand action

This year’s yolk production in Kozani is expected to be reduced by more than 30%, with the unusual weather conditions for the season having received the flower of the plant, said, speaking to APE-MPE, the president of the “Compulsory Cooperative of Kozani Yolk Producers” Vassilis Mitsopoulos.

“Last week’s rains, combined with the intense fog that followed, destroyed the crocus flower, which fell to the ground,” said Mr. Mitsopoulos, noting that Kozani crocus growers, the only ones on Greek soil, will try to offset this year’s expected loss, with a 10% increase in the price of the final product, from the beginning of 2022.

“This increase will not make us rich, but it will enable us to cover part of our growing expenses, due to the prevailing conditions at the global level”, he pointed out, referring -among other things- to the increase of “In the light of the shortage of labor, which is becoming more and more difficult to find every year,” he said.

It is noted that the 925 families in the prefecture of Kozani, cultivate a total of 5500 acres, with the average annual production ranging from 2.5-3 tons and the production cost to be set at 400 euros with 500 euros per acre, depending on the management a producer does and provided that he has plant capital, the value of which amounts to 1,000 euros / acre. The selling price per kilo, according to Mr. Mitsopoulos, is currently set at 1200 euros, while the product is sold by 70% abroad, mainly in Spain, Italy and France and the remaining 30% is absorbed in the Greek market. Regarding the Chinese market and the efforts made for the start of Kozani yolk exports, Mr. Mitsopoulos pointed out that “despite the initial enthusiasm and high expectations, in the end the project did not bear fruit and apparently will not” walk “at all”.

Emphasizing that “every year and better”, Mr. Mitsopoulos brought back the issue of coupled aid to the crocus, in order to support the income of growers and noted that only the provision of financial incentives could entice young people to engage in crocodile farming. , which is particularly demanding as an occupation. In this context, he stressed that based on a survey, 70% of crocodile growers are between 50 and 75 years old and added that “if the ratio with young people is not reversed, the future of crocodile cultivation is clearly threatened.”

In the meantime, referring to the escalation of the phenomenon of saffron adulteration internationally, Mr. Mitsopoulos pointed out that no case has occurred in Greece since, as he characteristically said, our product and our work, losing the opportunity and opportunity to reap its surplus value and at the same time to bring higher foreign exchange to the national economy “.

In this context, he expressed his support for the packaged disposal of Kozani yolk, noting that “we are taking all necessary steps to change the bulk disposal / packaged ratio from 75% -25% to 50% -50%”.

Besides, as he added, the certified organic crocus cultivation has already doubled, which now amounts to 2000 acres and while it is paid with 100 euros / kilo more, it is not excluded that this amount may increase. He hastened to point out that “all cultivation in Kozani is done in an organic way, but not all producers have the necessary written certification, which is done at the expense of the cooperative.”

Source: AMPE

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Source From: Capital

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