G
reek farmers find it difficult to adapt to
the economic environment and the need
to implement the Memorandum that has
been signed by the Greek government and the
representatives of the International Monetary
Fund, the European Union and the European
Central Bank. The production cost of agricultural
goods is affected by fuel price increases, while
the shortcomings and failures of the distribution
and trading system make farmers vulnerable to
the whims of both wholesalers and retailers.
The gap between prices “in the field and on the
Trade with Greece
130
A Year of Crucial
Decisions for Greek
Agriculture
The year 2011 brings two developments of major impor-
tance for Greek farmers: the reform of the Common
Agricultural Policy that will be implemented after 2013, and
the change in Greece’s cooperative map through the
enactment of a groundbreaking law, which is currently
drafted by the government; all this in the rather adverse
financial environment that resulted from the fiscal crisis.
By Michalis Voutsadakis
