Small family farms predominate in agriculture. 15% of people are professionally involved in agriculture. The soils are mostly rocky and unsuitable for agriculture. Most of the arable land needs to be irrigated. The degree of mechanization in agriculture is low.
Due to the poor quality of the pastures, animal husbandry is of little importance. However, fishing and the fishing of shellfish and sponges play an important role. Among other things, mackerel, eels, crabs, shrimps, octopuses are caught. The Greek fishing fleet ranks 11th in the EU in terms of the number of fish caught.
The main export partners are: Italy, Germany, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Turkey, Great Britain, the United States, France and Romania. Industrial products, agricultural products and raw materials are exported.
Imports of the agri-food sector are estimated at EUR 5.5 billion. Among other things, it imports mechanical devices, vehicles, chemicals and food products.
The main crops grown in Greece are:
– olives,
– citruses,
– cotton,
– fig,
– grape,
– tobacco,
– pistachio
Greek olives are used in many ways. For many years, work has been done to improve the taste of the olive and to get rid of its bitter taste. First of all, they are processed into olive oil or served as a snack, which is very popular in Greece.
Citrus grows from late fall to early spring. The most popular are oranges and mandarins. Euboea’s citrus fruit begins to ripen in November and lasts until spring. Marmalade-type sweets are made from bitter citrus.
Grown cotton is mainly used to produce fiber. Although the cultivation of cotton accounts for less than 0.2% of the value of European agricultural production, it is of great importance in the two main EU producing countries. In 2018. cotton production volume was estimated at 340,000t, which was only 1% of cotton production in the world.
Grapes are used to make wine, raisins and compote. Harvesting begins in September, and it is the most loved tradition in the Greek countryside. Everyone who lives in the area works together. Once the fruit has been harvested, it is transported to the vineyard. They are sorted by color and put into individual presses.
Figs are grown only in the area around Kalamata and Laconia and almost all of them are exported. They are harvested from trees or soil. They are naturally dried in the sun without any chemical additives. Then they are fumigated, sorted and packed.
Greece is one of the main producers of tobacco. Depending on the variety, the yield varies from 1 to 3 tons per hectare.
Pistachios are grown in Aegina, they are made into tinctures, halva and sweet creams. Trees can bear fruit for up to 200 years. Greece ranks first in Europe and 6th in the world in the production of pistachios. They are said to be the best in the world.
The main production of maize in Greece is maize. Greece is a significant producer of tomatoes, peaches and citrus fruits.
Due to the unfavorable terrain and low rainfall, Greek agriculture is losing importance.
