At risk of paying a heavy price from the spread of sheep and goats The Greek slice is located, while the debate on animal vaccination threatens to cause a domino effect on the export activity of this PDO product, questioning access to critical markets, as he points out speaking to RES-EIA. The President of the Association of Greek Dairy Industries (SEVGAP), Christos Apostolopoulos.

“Our country is in danger of losing not only sales, but an extremely dynamic extroversion trajectory built with effort,” he stresses, adding anxiously that “if animal vaccination in our country is proceeding to deal with smallpox, third -country markets may prohibit Greek markets,.

In the last five years, he explains, demand in major markets such as the United Kingdom, the US, Canada and Australia, has been launched, with exports now reaching 785 million euros. However, as he adds with strong concern and concern, “the sharp decline in animal capital, now in just 4% of the original population, endangers not only current sales, but also a whole growth potential that recorded double -digit growth rates each year.”

Which countries “close the doors” to vaccinated animals?

The rules of third countries such as the US, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom are clear: they do not allow dairy imports from countries that apply vaccination against smallpox, as Mr Apostolopoulos tells us and adds “they do not recognize” pure zones “or” separations “in the country; In this context, the president of Sevgap notes that ‘Greece is at a critical juncture, as there are no exceptions. “.

Which countries have faced the same problem and how? In this answer, he replies that Spain, Bulgaria and Romania were faced with the same threat and his reaction was to take and implement extraordinary biocherapy measures: animal limitation, destruction of infected animals, strict movement control and disinfection. “No one has chosen vaccination, a decision that Greece is discussing to follow.”notes.

Vaccination: Solution or trap?

There is a scientific consensus that vaccination does not completely eliminate the disease, Mr Apostolopoulos notes, and says that it can create asymptomatic carriers that continue the transmission of zoonoso, making it difficult to eradicate. “The case of Turkey, which applies vaccination for over a decade, demonstrates the difficulty of discharging the disease, despite the extensive use of the vaccine.”highlights and adds that “This means that vaccination can become a trap and can make the situation even more difficult.”

What do the strict biochemical measures proposed by Sevgap mean in practice?

Calling on immediate and without compromise, Sevgap proposes the following: Livestock units to immediately declare the slightest suspicion of symptoms, even if it concerns only one animal, the restrictions on animal, feed, slaughter and milk must be adhered to. At the same time, Sevgap, through his president, proposes that units that do not apply biocherapy measures to be excluded from any compensation and notes emphatically that the compensation to breeders must be paid quickly and be fair, in order to avoid “irregular” movements that are harmful.

“Experience shows that the faster the strict measures are imposed, the greater the chances of successful crisis management,” Mr Apostolopoulos said, noting: “Greece is called upon to move decisively in order to protect its economy and the global reputation of the feta, which is one of the most powerful ambassadors in the Greek agri -food sector.”

Greek slice export analysis 2020–2024

Total Greek feta exports worldwide have increased a steady increase over the last five years and according to data provided for use in RES-EIA, the SEVGAP president in 2020 stood at EUR 422 million, in 2021 at EUR 466 million and then in the following years up to EUR 607 million and EUR 78 million.

“The exports of 2024 amounted to EUR 785.8 million recorded an increase of 6.7% compared to 2023,” Mr Apostolopoulos notes, adding “this is an ever -upward trend, as feta exports have more than doubled by 2020, when they were 422 million euros”.

Traditionally, Germany remains the most important destination for the Greek slice, with exports that reached 227.3 million euros in 2024 and “although a marginal reduction (-1.6%) is recorded compared to 2023, the market remains steadily strong”, it notes.

At the same time, Italy emerges in a rapidly growing market, with a dramatic increase of 18.9%, reaching 103.3m euros. The Trinity of the top markets is completed by the United Kingdom, with exports of 90 million euros (+4.1%).

The march is also noteworthy in the United States, where feta exports reached € 61.9 million, rising almost 16% compared to the previous year. The strong presence of the Greek homogeneity, as well as the penetration of the Mediterranean diet into American culture, seem to be fruitful.

Surprise-surprise with explosive growth

Impressive increases were also recorded in smaller or less traditional markets, which emerge in new opportunities for Greek export activity, the SEVGAP president tells us, and indicatively mentions: Bahrain +950%, Maldives +733%, Chile +254%, Lithuania +18% +100% + Egypt +80%.

The aforementioned markets, as he points out, “although smaller in absolute numbers, are highly dynamic and can be strategic goals for Greek export companies.”

Fall in China, Serbia and Israel

Of course, the markets were not missing where exports showed a downward trend. Typical examples: China: -32.8%, Serbia: -56.4%, Israel: -59.6%and Argentina: -62.5%.

“Recession in these areas may be linked to geopolitical issues, logistics problems or changes in consumer habits. A targeted re -examination strategy of feta presence in these markets is required »he stresses.

The feta remains “a powerful ambassador of Greek gastronomy internationally,” Mr. Apostolopoulos tells us, noting that they can be further strengthened with targeted marketing and commercial policy.