Increasingly developing crop rice in our country in recent years.

According to estimates of those involved in this crop, the areas of rice in our country are now in 300,000 acreswith production reaching 270,000 tonnes in rice with bark or 150,000 tonnes of “pure” rice. In addition, the same estimates refer to a large number of rice producers, which reach up to 10,000 across Greece, a number that will not be surprised if it increases, considering good values ​​in rice proportional to cotton and corn.

Our country is in the third place Among the Member States of the European Union behind the first Italy and the second Spain, while Portugal is in fourth.

“Last year the cultivated land increased by 10%, and this year can increase by up to 15%” The president of the Rice Inter -Professional Organization, Yiannis Arnaoulelis, told the Athens -Macedonian News Agency, but said that “All of this, of course, to happen we must have adequacy of water“

The climate change It has affected as it is reasonable and this particular crop. The scarce rains and snowfall In previous years, the amount of water was not sufficient and the producers were not faced with difficulties. And all this, considering that rice cultivation is a cultivation that is literally produced in the water.

“Due to the lack of water, yields in the field have been affected. Of course water deficiency is an important issue for us. If it is not raining and not snowing there are problems » said Mr. Arnaoutelis and added “But this year it is expected to be an excellent year.” And he explains, “there are already significant quantities of water from the rainfall but also from the snow that has fallen into our country over the past months.”

The issue of water is more important in Macedoniaarea where it is up to 70% of the country’s total production. According to the president of the interprofessional, farmers there have to deal with water shortages due to the management of rivers from other countries where they initially pass.

“Apart from Aliakmonas, whom we handle, there is the Axios River, which before reaching our country, passes through the neighboring country, which” arranges “the quantities that will eventually reach us, after first meeting their own needs,” he said and continued.

Eliminated 2/3 of production

The high quality of Greek rice is also preferred by foreign countries, a 2/3 destination of total production.

“One -third of total production covers domestic needs and the remaining two -thirds are headed for exports” said Mr. Arnaoutelis.

The main destination of Greek rice in international markets are the countries of the Mediterranean basin, Poland, Turkey and, above all, the states of the Middle East.

The problems

It is logical, not all rosy for the industry which besides the lack of water, are the weather conditions during the harvest of the finished product.

It is also a matter of its price. “This product is a stock market. We have to compete with traditional countries in rice cultivation, such as Italy and Spain, which is not easy. ” noted.

Another issue, according to the president of the Rice Inter -Professional Organization, is the rigor of the European Union in terms of the use of pesticides. “The EU It is strict with the quality of food quality and pesticides. That is why it wants producers to use more “light” pesticides to combat pests in their productions. ” Mr. Arnaoutelis pointed out to RES-EIA.

And continued “This results in greater quantities of pesticides, increasing the costs for farmers while also decreasing their production. If more efficient pesticides are not used, then the production drops. “

Finally, himself, talking about Establishment of the interprofessional for the riceemphasizes that it has resulted in “Production with manufacturing have come closer. As a result, we are sitting together, trying to find solutions to our problems. In addition, we try to put Greek rice into new, more profitable purchases through programs. “