Agriculture in Greece
Agriculture in Greece relies on its sunny Mediterranean climate. The main crops include olives, grapes, citrus fruits, cereals and vegetables, with olive oil as a standout product. Greek vineyards also produce wine. The country also raises livestock and catches fish, while forests play a smaller role. Most farms are small and family-owned.
Land, people and economy: About 47.9% of agricultural land is arable, 27.4% are tree plantations, 2.1% are vines and 22.4% are other cultivations (mostly pastures). There are around 615,000 farmers, making up about 12.4% of the country’s workforce. Agriculture accounts for a little over 4% of Greece’s GDP and covers about 2.82 million hectares. For many rural areas, farming is the main source of jobs.
Support and policy: Greek farming, like other EU countries, receives subsidies from the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Some subsidy rules are planned to change in the coming years.
History and modernization: In the 19th century farming in Greece was basic and relied on simpler tools. By the 20th century, grain production and other crops grew with more modern farming methods and research into soils and fertilizers. Post-1938, institutions like the Kanellopoulos Institute helped drive this modernization.
Recent trends: By 2020 Greece had about 530,679 farms, down from 723,006 in 2009. The number of organic farms also fell (12,588 in 2020, down from 16,448 in 2009), but the area used for organic farming increased to about 156,058 hectares (up from 130,828). Notable wheat varieties grown in Greece include Flavio, Vavaros and Mexa.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 11:59 (CET).