Winter weather has brought a decline in Cretan cucumber production, but there is a place where the cold cannot reach, and the harvest remains high. This is Psari Forada, located on the southern coastline of Crete and protected from northern winds that could impact yield. Mr. Thodoris Agapoulakis, president of the local agricultural cooperative Psaris, says: "Plantations were carried out mostly in the second fortnight of October, and the harvest began between November 15 and 20. Currently, our yield stands at 180-200 tons per hectare, with 70% of the crop belonging to the first quality category and 60-65% of this volume being exported. We sell about 300-400 tons weekly."
Mr. Manolis Papadakis, general manager of the cooperative, provides additional details about the current state of production: "We are at the peak of our season, delivering three trucks daily. However, it is not only our production volume but also our quality. Our location is the sunniest in all of Europe, and, as you know, the sun is incomparably beneficial for cucumbers' quality, dark color, and taste. So, thanks to the sunshine and our special microclimate, we can guarantee a good supply of dark-skinned cucumbers."
However, water is perhaps the major concern of the cucumber producers in Psari Forada. "The insufficient rainfall has not affected water availability but water quality. Although we will have enough water until the end of our season in May, we are concerned about future developments. Water is the constant topic of discussion among producers," the president of Psaris stresses.
The Cretan cooperative faces intense competition from cucumbers from other countries but takes special care to supply high-quality products at their optimum freshness. Mr. Agapoulakis states: "Harvest takes place invariably until 6 p.m., and by the next afternoon, the products have been sorted, packed, and sent to the markets." "We apply strict control over our cultivation techniques, using beneficial insects and following all high European standards. Our producers are collectively certified. We also hold an exclusive partnership with a packing house because we don't want our strictly controlled products to be handled alongside others," Mr. Papadakis adds.
The agricultural cooperative Psaris was established in 2006 and is almost exclusively dedicated to cucumbers. Last season, it brought about 8,500 tons to market, harvested from 42 hectares, while this season, cucumber acreage has increased to 45 hectares. As the cooperative's general manager says: "We also take measures to increase our production efficiency. In collaboration with the Agricultural University of Athens, we created a special platform where our members can send their data and receive personalized consultancy on the fertilization of their crops according to Dutch standards, thus avoiding fertilizer and money waste and contributing to the competitiveness of our products."
For more information
Thodoris Agapoulakis – Manolis Papadakis
Psaris
Tel: +30 28950 61272
Email: aspsaris@gmail.com