Greek citrus season starting later due to wam nights

The contrast was huge: from sunny Greece to cold and wet in the Netherlands. Organic Greek citrus growers would love to switch places. The start to the citrus season is late in coming, due to the relatively warm nights. Lenneke Schot, edotor for FreshPlaza's sister website for the organic sector, Biojournaal, visited various organic growers in Western Greece between the 18th and the 21st of October. She was invited by Gerasimos Karantinos

Gerasimos is leading Bio Net West Hellas, with approximately 300 participating farmers, the largest group of organic producers in Greece. The trip was coordinated from the Netherlands, by Alexis van Erp from Eosta. Alexis handles the organic fruit and vegetable products from Bio Net West Hellas in Europe.

The oranges are still green
Most of the trip was taken up by looking at the citrus, but the group also took a quick look at two kiwi orchards. They also visited a carrot and potato grower, and they got a tour of Bio Net West Hellas' own organic fruit packing station. It was obvious the the citrus season will start later this year. Most of the oranges and mandarins are still green. To stimulate the ripening process the fruits urgently need some cold nights. The results of a recent hailstorm were clearly seen with one of the citrus growers, but Georgios Kyziakopoulos (third photo below), a kiwi grower, expects a much better harvest than last year.

In the coming weeks various articles will be published on FreshPlaza following this press trip.