Santorini’s famed vineyards, home to the world-renowned Assyrtiko grape, face a dire threat as winemakers warn that grape production could vanish by 2042. Aging vines, climate change, and a lack of young farmers, compounded by unchecked urban sprawl, are pushing the island’s wine industry to the edge. The Santorini Winemakers’ Association is fighting back with innovative projects, including wastewater recycling and humidity-capturing technology, to secure a sustainable future for this Greek treasure.
Tag: agriculture
The new Trump tariffs threaten Greek exports to the U.S., putting over €440 million worth of iconic products like feta cheese, olive oil, and Kalamata olives at risk. As producers face potential losses and unsold stock, the Greek government is eyeing markets like India and China to offset the blow, while the EU braces for a shift in global trade dynamics.
Greece is facing a climate crisis that demands urgent action, warns Kostas Kartalis, Professor at the University of Athens. ‘We’ve built our country for a climate that no longer exists,’ he told the Athens-Macedonian News Agency. With heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires intensifying, Kartalis calls for a major overhaul of productive sectors and infrastructure to withstand these changes, ahead of his participation in the 10th Delphi Economic Forum, set for April 9-12, 2025.
The EU’s top trade negotiator warns of 20% tariffs from the Trump Administration next week, sparking fears of a transatlantic trade war. Set to begin around April 2, the move could hike costs for EU exporters, trigger retaliatory duties on $19.6 billion of U.S. goods, and strain diplomatic ties, with key sectors like automotive and tech caught in the crossfire.
Greece is facing a dramatic weather shift, with record-breaking March heat—peaking at 33.7°C in Crete—set to plunge into snow and frost by Tuesday, threatening agriculture and highlighting the country’s status as a climate change hotspot.
Greece is facing a severe water crisis as aging infrastructure and climate change exacerbate shortages across the country. In Argolida, leaky pipes waste half the region’s water supply, while brackish backup sources compromise drinking water quality. The EU has launched a major initiative to curb water losses, but with some areas experiencing leakages as high as 80%, experts warn that fundamental fixes are urgently needed. As farmers drill ever deeper for dwindling resources, many Greeks pin their hopes on rainy winters to ease the strain.
Greek farmers staged a protest in Thessaloniki, demanding government action and a meeting with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Clashes with police occurred as authorities blocked their path to the Thessaloniki Summit 2025, where Mitsotakis was speaking. Chanting pro-farmer slogans, they eventually advanced but were stopped again. After learning the Prime Minister had already left, the farmers vowed to continue their blockades and push for a meeting in Athens. Their protest highlights growing tensions over economic struggles in the agricultural sector.
Turkey, the world’s second-largest honey producer, is facing a crisis of counterfeit honey. Recent raids have uncovered tons of adulterated product, raising concerns about the industry’s reputation and potential health risks. Industry leaders are calling for stricter regulations and increased enforcement to combat the widespread problem, which is fueled by economic pressures and inadequate oversight. Concerns are also growing about the export of fake honey, potentially reaching consumers in Europe and beyond.
The Greek government is enforcing new regulations from 2025 to halt the sale of olive oil tins without official receipts, aiming to curb tax evasion and enhance market standardization. Producers will face fines up to 5,000 euros for non-compliance, with measures including mandatory digital documentation and inspections at olive mills. These changes target the informal distribution of 17-kilogram tins, promoting transparency and accountability in the olive oil supply chain.
Agricultural organizations are urging the United Nations to intervene and uphold existing agreements regarding farming rights within the UN-controlled Buffer Zone in Cyprus.
An island inhabited since ancient times, with myths and stories, conquerors and struggles, Lemnos has…
Taste Atlas has ranked four Greek apple varieties among the world’s best, with the Zagora apple from the Pelion region claiming the top spot. Despite strong competition from American varieties, Greece stands out with its unique apple offerings, celebrated for their flavor, resilience, and rich heritage.
Olive oil prices are expected to fall this year after a steep rise last year, offering some relief to consumers. However, a severe drought across key olive-producing regions is impacting yields and contributing to market volatility. Olive producer Myron Chiletzakis discusses the current situation, highlighting the influence of international markets and the challenges faced by Greek producers. While bulk prices have decreased, supermarket prices for bottled olive oil remain stable as the new harvest is yet to arrive.
A Greek consumer’s discovery of a frozen mouse in a package of spinach has sparked outrage and raised concerns about food safety. The incident, documented with photos shared with food safety platform cibum, highlights the ongoing challenge of pest control in the food industry despite sophisticated detection equipment. This unsettling discovery underscores the need for rigorous preventative measures throughout the food supply chain to protect consumers.
Greece, renowned for its ancient history and stunning landscapes, is also home to a unique…
Greek restaurants are removing mussels from their menus due to a severe crisis in the country’s mussel production, caused by rising sea temperatures. This shortage has left traditional Greek dishes without a key ingredient, highlighting the urgent impacts of climate change on the nation’s seafood industry.
Naxos Arseniko, a lesser-known Greek cheese, has surprised cheese lovers by ranking second only to Parmigiano-Reggiano on Taste Atlas’s list of the world’s best semi-hard cheeses. This impressive feat highlights Greece’s rich cheesemaking tradition, but the future of Arseniko Naxos, and other Greek cheeses, is uncertain due to severe drought conditions impacting production.
Greece’s prized saffron crop is facing a severe threat from prolonged drought, impacting yields and raising concerns about the future of this ancient tradition. The vibrant blue and purple saffron blossoms near Kozani belie the parched and cracked earth beneath, jeopardizing the livelihoods of farmers and the production of one of the world’s most expensive spices.
The rising cost of olive oil is attributed to climate change’s adverse effects on production. Prolonged droughts, heatwaves, and pest infestations challenge olive farmers in the Mediterranean and beyond. However, innovative farming practices offer hope for sustainable adaptation in the face of these challenges.
Greece faces a significant backlog of over 270,000 pending residence permit applications, impacting labor market dynamics amid acute shortages. Concentrated predominantly in the Attica Directorate, this delay exacerbates economic challenges, including substantial losses in agriculture. Efforts to expedite processing and calls for streamlined entry requirements are underway to address the critical need for foreign workers.