Flaws in some codes engraver of Crete seen in grocery storea deficit that might have been larger if, on the one hand, some chains had not acted in time to ensure sufficient stocks, and, on the other hand, consumer demand was higher.

“There is a shortage of Cretan graviera due to the small amount of raw material from sheep’s milk in Crete. And we can’t stock up because we don’t have enough. According to our estimates, the pressure will last for several months,” Sources from Sklavenitis told K.. However, there was no shortage in the sense of the absence of the Cretan Graviera product in the refrigerators of the chain stores. “A certain brand may not have a code. But there are many brands in the category, so there is always a product,” the same sources add.

“At METRO, we have long-term partnerships with production units in Crete with whom we have built a trusting relationship. In this context, we have ensured sufficiency until new production is ready.” point to the sources of “K” from the METRO groupwhich is engaged in retail trade with the network My market. The same sources emphasize that the lack of sheep milk for the production of Cretan graviera is the result of the transport of raw materials from Crete to mainland Greece between 2021 and 2022. In particular, the big cheese producers tied up producers’ volumes by paying higher prices to meet their increased needs. Result; This year, small units in Crete will find it difficult to operate due to rising production costs and a lack of working capital.

The same sources indicate that any reduction in production will be offset by a decrease in demand, which by 2022 reaches 10%. In fact, a decrease in demand is also expected for 2023, as there will be a new re-evaluation of the final product, and the same can happen with all Greek goat and sheep milk cheese products.

However, as regards the evolution of prices, the President of Hellenic Dairies (Olympos), Mr. Dimitris Sarantis talking to “K” stated: “In the European market for cow’s milk, the rise in prices has stopped. And it should be noted that there the price has doubled even in very large milk-producing countries, such as Germany and the Netherlands. Thus, the decisive factor is whether the price reduction starts before or after the winter. After the fall in the price of cow’s milk, the price of goat’s milk will follow. Therefore, the most likely scenario is that we will start seeing price declines in the first quarter of 2023.”