Greek Cherry Guide

Production Supply Chain

How Is the Value Chain of Cherries Formed?

Greek cherries end up in the export market after passing through three leading market players (Producers, Associations, Wholesalers, and others).

Route #1: Producers -> Associations -> Exporters

Route #2: Producers -> Wholesalers -> Exporters

Route #3: Producers -> Exporters

Many FFV producers are fragmented in Greece, so most of the export supplies of Greece cherries are from either the FFV product association (cooperatives), who aggregate the producers of the region and process (package) the cherries of the region. Producers who directly export their products or use the wholesale market to export their products are extremely rare.

Protofanousis is the largest Greek exporter of cherries, distributing around 11,000 tons annually. Its main markets are Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Poland, the UK and Romania, while more recently exports have extended to Scandinavian countries.

Process to Packaging : The production comes from Pella and is fully certified by GlobalGAP The fruit is first brought to a refrigerated storage facility maintained by the company in Kerasia, Pella, in the center of a region where the cherry is the main crop and cherry orchards extend into the foothills of the Northern [Voras] Mountains to an altitude of 1,100 meters.

The cherries go through a pre-cooling process with a special hydro cooler at the same facility. Packing takes place the next morning at the Protofanousi processing center at Ionia in Thessaloniki. A sophisticated electronic calibrator ensures accurate sorting on the basis of size and color.

Continuous monitoring of the cherry orchards and harvesting at the appropriate stage of ripeness, in conjunction with maintaining the "cold chain”, contributes to consistently high fruit quality. 

Seasonality of Main Producing Regions

Where Are Major Producing Regions of Cherry in Greece?

Greek Cherry : Cherries are produced in the north in the region around Veria and Ptolemaida, in central Greece around Thessalia, and close to Athens in the vicinity of Lamia. 80% of the areas are located in Central Macedonia, centered on Imathia and Pella. The main cherry variety of Greece is the Burlat, but the last ten years have seen an emergence of newer varieties like Sweet and types like the Star series.

Seasonality : Among commercially-grown fruits, it's common knowledge that cherries are the last trees to bloom and the first to harvest. So for most cherry crops in the area, harvest season starts from mid-April to late July.

Areas of cherry growing in Greece - Larissa, Pella and Veroia. Greek Cherries have a beautiful appearance, full of heady flavor.

Variety: The main varieties in an order based on harvesting date are as follows: Satin, Samba, Larian, Crystalina, Georgia, Early Star, Grey Star, Black Star, Big Star, Lapins, Bakirtzeika (Greek variety), Ferovia, Germensdorfer, Skenna, Regina, Kordia, Sweet Heart. Harvest month is designated by different color.

Protofanousis is the largest Greek exporter of cherries, distributing around 11,000 tons annually. Its main markets are Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Poland, the UK and Romania, while more recently exports have extended to Scandinavian countries.

Process to Packaging : The production comes from Pella and is fully certified by GlobalGAP The fruit is first brought to a refrigerated storage facility maintained by the company in Kerasia, Pella, in the center of a region where the cherry is the main crop and cherry orchards extend into the foothills of the Northern [Voras] Mountains to an altitude of 1,100 meters.

The cherries go through a pre-cooling process with a special hydro cooler at the same facility. Packing takes place the next morning at the Protofanousi processing center at Ionia in Thessaloniki. A sophisticated electronic calibrator ensures accurate sorting on the basis of size and color.

Continuous monitoring of the cherry orchards and harvesting at the appropriate stage of ripeness, in conjunction with maintaining the "cold chain”, contributes to consistently high fruit quality.