In the city of Veria, northern Greece, the air is now bustling with activity as peach growers begin harvesting their peaches. Peach harvesting season is a time of celebration for the region of Imathia, renowned for its high-quality fruit.
Greek peaches are prized for their sweet and slightly sour taste, juicy texture, and aromatic qualities. Beyond their deliciousness, they are also a healthy choice, rich in carbohydrates, proteins, fiber, Vitamin C, and Vitamin A, and are considered beneficial for digestion due to their alkaline content. A typical peach (around 260 grams) contains approximately 58 calories, 2.3 grams of fiber, and 1.36 grams of protein.
Peach cultivation is one of the most important agricultural sectors in northern Greece, with the harvest season running from late May to late September. Producers typically pick the fruit just before it has fully ripened to ensure it withstands transportation and storage, assessing ripeness by size, color, aroma, and flesh consistency.
“For us, the peach harvest is truly a celebration in Veria and our surrounding villages. As the Veria Tourism Group, we’re dedicated to showcasing this incredible fruit through local products and tourism,” Yianna Pilitsidou, President of the group, told Greek Reporter.
“Our goal is for every business, from patisseries to restaurants, to infuse the peach into their offerings—whether it’s in a sweet treat or a fresh salad. We’ve largely succeeded, ensuring that visitors can savor our peaches in countless ways,” she added.
“When you’re here during harvest, you’ll see the sheer scale of it: massive platforms laden with peaches, tractors ferrying them to cooperatives where they begin their journey to consumers throughout Greece and worldwide,” Pilitsidou said.
In an interview with Greek Reporter, Tasos Chalkidis, president of the Veria Farmers’ Association, highlighted the generational legacy and significant economic impact of peach cultivation in the region of Imathia and Pella, Greece.
He emphasized the global reputation of their peaches, stating, “The peach is a product that has truly made us famous and has given a lot of growth to our place and to Imathia and Pella. Because, as we said, it is one of the best in the world.”
Chalkidis detailed the comprehensive nature of the peach industry, noting how it supports numerous related professions and boosts the local economy.
He explained the different varieties, including edible table peaches, nectarines, and industrial peaches used for compote, where Greece is the world leader in production.
He also introduced flat peaches as a relatively new and highly profitable product for Greece. Chalkidis concluded by stressing the meticulous care involved in peach cultivation, from planting to harvesting, ensuring high quality and consumer safety through controlled, expert-supervised practices.
Ioannis Betsias, an agricultural engineer at Venus Growers, sheds light on the operations of this agricultural cooperative. Originally a solitary sorting center, Venus has evolved into a multi-faceted operation, encompassing both a cannery and fresh fruit sorting, a facility dedicated to managing fresh produce, with a primary focus on peaches.
The cooperative boasts a substantial membership of approximately 600 farmers. Before harvest, each farmer submits a production declaration detailing all their crops. Once the produce, primarily peaches, ripens, it’s delivered to the cooperative. Here, a strict protocol ensures quality control:
Weighing and Sampling: Upon arrival, products are weighed, and samples are meticulously taken from each bale. This allows for a thorough analysis of size and the detection of any potential imperfections.
Refrigeration and Packaging: After quality checks, the produce moves to refrigeration units. From there, it’s packaged into crates or bags based on specific orders, catering to both domestic and international markets.
Venus supplies to Greek supermarkets and has a strong international presence, primarily exporting to Bulgaria, Romania, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Austria, Lithuania, and Croatia.
The spectacular peach tree blooms of Imathia
Months prior to the harvest, every spring, typically between late February and mid-March, the Imathia region transforms into a breathtaking spectacular quilt of hot pink and vivid green thanks to the blossoms of its famed peach trees. This stunning sight, often compared to Japan’s cherry blossoms, is one of the world’s best-kept secrets, and can be enjoyed especially from the foothills of Mount Vermio.
Veria, the capital, embraces this natural wonder with a two-week festival dedicated to the blossoms. This year’s festivities included a heart-shaped balloon flying over the plains and a “High in the Blooms! Peach Trees & Hot Air Balloons Photo Contest,” attracting hundreds of photographers. The city itself, located on the eastern foothills of the Vermio Mountains, is Greece’s largest forest-owning municipality and a hub for fruit production.
Inspired by Japan’s successful tourism promotion, Imathia residents actively promote the annual blooming of their treasured peach trees. This adds to the region’s existing appeal as a popular winter destination, home to two of Greece’s best ski resorts, Seli and 3-5 Pigadia.
A yearly 17-kilometer “Bicycle Ride Through the Flowering Peach Trees” also offers a unique way for participants to admire the spectacular display. This beautiful event lasts for approximately twenty days, showcasing Imathia’s natural beauty and its deep connection to the peach.
Related: A Piano Concert Among Greece’s Blooming Peach Trees
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