In Greece, a leading chestnut producer globally, the industry faces a severe decline in output due to extreme weather conditions. Anestis Altinis, a farmer in Kissos village, reports a drastic drop in chestnut ripening, with expectations of a 90% decrease in production. This year's harvest is anticipated to fall to around 15,000 tonnes, a significant reduction from the five-year average, attributed to the country's warmest winter and summer on record. George Nanos, a University of Thessaly professor, highlights the broader implications for the region's agriculture, noting the adverse effects on cherry, apple, and walnut crops as well.
The situation underscores the vulnerabilities of southern European agriculture to climate change, with similar challenges reported in Spain, Portugal, and France. Thessaly, a key agricultural area in Greece, has experienced prolonged drought following destructive floods, exacerbating the crisis for chestnut producers. The economic repercussions extend beyond the agricultural sector, with Greece's central bank projecting an increase in crop and fruit prices and a significant rise in the financial impact of climate change on the economy.
Altinis, reflecting on the tradition of chestnut farming in his family, calls for urgent measures to mitigate the impact, including support for irrigation systems, to prevent further desertification and economic decline in rural areas.
Source: Reuters