The certified Kythira olive oil was shipped to Germany last week, bound for 49 consumers who are now enjoying its unique quality and flavor. The Terra Vita certification added 16% in value to the final product and, at the same time, brought German consumers «closer» to Kythira, and the island’s sustainable olive oil production has become widely known.
Under his coordination Mediterranean Institute for Nature and Man (MedINA) and the excellent cooperation with the Kythira Foundation for Culture & Development (KIPA), the Livadi, Kythira Agricultural Cooperative and representatives of German consumers, the first year of the certification process came to a successful close. Following the first meeting of stakeholders and producers in March 2020, the launch of the «Terra Kytheria» project in the spring of 2021, field research, the finalization of the standard, the certification of 32 producers and 3 olive oil mills—among many other tasks—the first commercial success was achieved.
The export of olive oil to Germany represents an initial effort to develop a «short value chain» that promotes direct and mutually beneficial cooperation between producers and consumers. In this relationship, consumers are active citizens who, driven by a sense of moral responsibility, support fair trade practices with producers. To establish this supply chain, information sessions on certified Kythira olive oil were held in Germany, a consumer group was organized, and the entire process—from pricing to packaging, and transportation, which was completed in early July.
This experience serves as a foundation for the future, and there are already many encouraging signs from consumers and other stakeholders. The promotion of Terra Vita certification and certified products is supported by the Ioannis S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation, as part of the «Terra Graeca: Small Farm to Market» program. In the coming period, there will be a systematic promotion of the certification and certified products, such as Kythira olive oil, in local, national, and international markets, participation in trade shows, and the development of relationships with consumer groups.
At the same time, the second round of certifications for producers and olive oil mills in Kythira is beginning, and all interested olive oil producers are invited to register with the KIPA secretariat by email at info@kipa-foundation.org and at the following phone numbers: 210.3832806 (Monday–Thursday, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.) and 27360.37006 (Monday–Friday afternoons, 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.).
More information and links:
The programme «Terra Graeca: Small Farm to Market» aims at the multifaceted empowerment of farmers in Lemnos and Kythera and the sustainable development of the agri-food sector of these islands. With the support of the Ioannis S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation we envision local communities thriving in productive and healthy agroecosystems full of life! More information: MedINA website
The «Terra Kytheria - Sustainable Agriculture in Kythera»It aims to support olive oil producers and promote Kythira olive oil. It is based on a cultivation and certification system that is adapted to local methods and preserves the island’s biodiversity and traditional agricultural landscapes. The program is implemented by the Kythira Foundation for Culture & Development (KIPA) and the Mediterranean Institute for Nature and Man (MedINA) in cooperation with the Agricultural Olive Oil Cooperative of Potamos, the Agricultural Cooperative of Livadi, and the University of the Aegean. More information: MedINA website, CFS website, Terra Lemnia
The certification Terra Vita – Agricultural Tradition and Biodiversity concerns food produced in Greece using traditional agricultural management methods that benefit biodiversity and the landscape, while promoting the local identity of the regions. More information: Web
