Greek agricultural sector crisis

The Greek agricultural sector is experiencing a multifaceted crisis involving biological threats, climate change, and economic instability. Initially, the sector faced severe losses due to a bluetongue disease outbreak, which caused the deaths of approximately 500,000 animals nationwide. During this period, citrus growers also reported crop losses of up to 40% due to pests and extreme weather. Farmers and political groups criticized the government for failing to implement vaccination programs, alleging that corporate interests were being prioritized over small-scale producers.

This situation has evolved to include broader concerns regarding climate change and market imbalances. In regions like Zakynthos, olive oil producers face a significant disparity between low farm-gate prices and high retail costs, alongside rising cultivation expenses and labor shortages. These local issues reflect a wider international concern regarding food security, as extreme weather, soil degradation, and biodiversity loss threaten essential crops such as olives and grapes in countries including Greece and Spain.