Ileia industrial tomato production faces significant decline

Michalis Katrinis, a PASOK MP for Ileia, has raised an alarm regarding the shrinking industrial tomato industry in the region. He has formally requested the Ministry of Rural Development and Food to intervene and consider support measures for local producers.

According to reports, deliveries to the region's two processing plants have dropped to approximately 78,000 tons, down from 95,000 tons in 2025. This 17,000-ton decrease is attributed not to weather conditions, but to a reduction in cultivated acreage. Producers are opting to plant fewer hectares due to low market prices combined with rising costs for irrigation, fuel, labor, supplies, and machinery.

Producers have warned that they may cease tomato cultivation entirely by 2027 if current economic conditions persist. Despite high crop quality, the lack of sustainable income threatens the viability of local farms. Katrinis is seeking data on cultivated areas and producer numbers over the last three years, as well as information on potential government financial aid.