Bigger and more serious than even the most negative initial estimates is the problem of deformation of peaches and nectarines in the plain of Macedonia – and not only. As he explains, speaking to the Athenian/Macedonian News Agency, the president of the National Interprofessional Organization of Pyrinocarps (EDOP), Christos Giannakakis, there are already 6,500 acres where the phenomenon is found, with 80% of them in the prefecture of Pella, followed by Imathia , Larissa, Kozani, Kilkis, Florina and Pieria.

Mr. Giannakakis expresses his anxiety about the widespread image of the phenomenon, pointing out that the above number is alarmingly high, especially given that the growers of the Andros variety, which represents 35% with 40 % of the total volume of production. He estimates that “in the next 10 days we will have an even more complete picture”.

It is recalled that the electronic platform created by EDOP, with the aim of registering in it the declarations of peach and nectarine producers who have shown problems with the deformation of their fruits, was opened on June 20, 2024 and the process is carried out through the Declaration Reception Centers (KYD) IASDE, who, after obtaining the relevant key number, are allowed to enter the system and proceed with the process.

Describing the process, Mr. Giannakakis notes that farmers who have identified the problem in question on their plots of land should visit the KYD, to which they have submitted the 2023 IASC statement, and request the printing of a form, in which they will only peach and nectarine crops are shown in detail.

On this form, in a special column, the number of trees of each parcel, where the problem has appeared, will be filled in. The bottom of the form will be signed by the producer and the agronomist with whom the producer works and who supplies the plant protection products. In the signature area of ​​the agronomist, his stamp will also be placed.

The form will then be submitted to the KYD, registered on the special electronic platform and a photocopy will be delivered to the producer, while the original will remain there. After the completion of the records and the existence of a comprehensive picture of the extent of the attack, relevant instructions will be issued for the actions that will follow.

In the meantime, after the registration is made, the affected trees will be uprooted and destroyed, while as Mr. Giannkakis underlines, it will be sought to find resources to finance the restructuring, in accordance with national and EU legislation.

Characterizing the issue with the deformation of peaches and nectarines as particularly critical and serious, he recalls that for now the instructions of the Benakei Plant Pathological Institute apply, according to which the affected fruits should not be harvested and should remain in the field.

He also points out that the first indications speak of a combination of viruses that attack and deform the stone fruits, while emphasizing that “public health is not threatened”.

The history of the offense and the actions taken

The phenomenon of attack and deformation of peaches and nectarines first appeared in 2021 in a plot of 10 acres in the Pella Vineyards. However, within three years it spread alarmingly, since while initially it was estimated that a total of 5,000 acres in Pella and Imathia had been affected, finally “the figure of 6,500 acres, which also concerns other areas besides the two mentioned above, categorically refutes us and strongly concerns us, both us producers and processors, as well as all those involved in the stone fruit industry”, emphasizes Mr. Giannakakis.

Scientists from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki are trying to solve the “mystery” of the deformation of peaches and nectarines. As Varvara Malioga, professor of Plant Virology at AUTH, told APE-MPE in mid-June, “if the phenomenon is viral, then we will find it”.

As the AUTH professor had said, based on the Program Agreement signed with the Greek Canners’ Association (EKE), “we will only run virological analyses” and once the cause of this deformation in the stone fruits is determined, then “we will all the necessary actions needed to deal with it can be planned and implemented, as well as those measures can be taken that will allow it to be fought”.

It is emphasized that, with its urgent announcement, the EDOP points out that “all producers who identify the problem are invited to immediately proceed with its declaration before the end of the harvest of each variety”, while notifying that the inspections of the farms by the state are calculated to start quickly after August 20.