The region offers ideal climatic and geomorphological conditions that favor the cultivation and production of many different agricultural products, with a high concentration of human resources with significant experience in the agri-food sector


    Good climatic conditions

    The climate of the Region of Western Greece depends on the geographical location and the altitude. The climate of Greece is Mediterranean, with mild winters and warm summers in the low-altitude areas of RWG and cold winters and cool summers in the high-altitude areas of the Region. This combination promotes the agricultural activity of various corps, .at the same time, these climatic conditions provide the possibility for RWG to extent the tourist season, combining opportunities for summer and winter tourism.

    The Region of Western Greece is ranked 4th in terms of the number of agricultural holdings and 6th in terms of the total area of ​​holdings. In total, 11.8% of agricultural holdings at national level, and 7.9% of holdings at national level, are found in the Region of Western Greece   , which shows that the agricultural sector of the region is characterized by small, fragmented land holdings and not by large organized agricultural units.

    The majority of agricultural holdings are located in the Regional Units of Etoloakarnania and Ilia, and at the same time Aetolia-Acarnania is ranked first, both in terms of the number and the area of ​​farms.

    The majority of agricultural holdings can be found in the Regional Unit, whilst the majority of livestock and mixed (agricultural and livestock) farms is located in Aetolia Acarnania.

     

    PDO-PGI Products, Traditional Products

    The Region of Western Greece contributes to the Greek diet and gastronomic tradition, in various ways. In this context, many of its products have been designated as Products with a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and as Products with a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI):

    List of PDO, PGI Products

    Product

    Regional Unit of reference

    Olympia Olive Oil

    Ilia

    Corinthian Vostitsa Raisins (PDO)

    Achaea

    Ilia Raisins (PGI)

    Ilia

    Feta cheese (PDO)

    All Regional Units

    Kefalograviera cheece (PDO)

    Aetolia-Acarnania

    Messolonghi roe (PDO)

    Aetolia-Acarnania

     

     

    Indicative List of Traditional Products by regional unit

    Product

    Regional Unit

    Fish products of Aetolia – Acarnania

    Aetolia-Acarnania

    Sea bream (cured with salt)of Messolonghi

    Aetolia-Acarnania

    Graviera of Amfilochia

    Aetolia-Acarnania

    Malagouzia of Etoloakarnania (wine variety)

    Aetolia-Acarnania

    Erymanthos goat

    Achaea

    Xiromerou lamp

    Aetolia-Acarnania

    Salted pork from Ilia

    Ilia

    Kalivian onions from  Ilia

    Ilia

    Tsalafouti cheece from Aetolia -Acarnania

    Aetolia-Acarnania

    Kalamon olive (PGI)

    Aetolia-Acarnania

    Potatoes

    Achaea and Ilia

    Strawberries

    Ilia

    Watermelons

    Ilia

    Chondroelia

    Aetolia-Acarnania

    Honey

    Achaea

    Olive oil

    All regions

     

    Crops

    With regards to the production of certain agricultural products, the RWG has established its strong presence in the production of fresh vegetables, melons, strawberries and potatoes. In these food categories, the three Regional Units hold 22% of the total agricultural area at national level. In addition, the Region holds13% of the area of forage plants, as well as 5% of the area of cereals.

    Distribution of Land Areas in Selected Annual Crops per regional unit

     

     

    The most Important Agricultural Products

    The Region of Western Greece  owns the monopoly in strawberry production in the country, and at the same time it has large shares (over 40%) in the production of sweet potatoes, lemons, watermelons, oats and potatoes. .  Most of the agricultural products are produced in the Regional Unit of Ilia, some of them even exclusively (strawberries, peanuts).

     

    The table that follows, presents the Top-10 products in terms of share in total production at national level, (currently cultivated in RWG)

    List of Products with High Share of National Production, RWG

    Product

    Share of the RWG in the National Production

    Regional Unit of Reference

    Strawberries

    98%

    Exclusively in the R.U. of Ilia

    Sweet potatoes

    68%

    Mainly in the R.U. of Ilia and Achaea

    Lemons

    55%

    Mainly in the R.U. of Achaea

    Watermelons

    46%

    Mainly in the R.U. of Ilia

    Oats

    44%

    Mainly in the R.U. of Ilia and Achaea

    Potatoes (autumn, winter)

    41%

    Mainly in the R.U. of Ilia

    Peanuts

    38%

    Exclusively in the R.U. of Ilia

    Zucchini

    32%

    Mainly in the R.U. of Ilia

    Industrial Tomatoes

    27%

    Mainly in the R.U. of Ilia

    Country Peppers

    22%

    Mainly in the R.U. of Ilia

     

    Revenues from Agriculture and Livestock

    The revenues of the Region of Western Greece from agriculture and livestock for 2017 accounted for €0.25m., ranking the Region of Western Greece in the 7th place among the 13 Regions.

    Oats, forage plants and pigs have the highest revenue rates, while fruits, olives, oily products, fresh vegetables andcitrus fruits, follow suit.

    List of High Revenue Products, RWG