Page 52 - FROUTONEA_UK_21-22

52 COMP ANIES

GEORGE HALKIAS

PRESIDENT OF OPA KOUDOURA
"WE HOPE THAT THIS SEASON THE

Mr. Halkias, tell us a few things about your
cooperative.
The Agricultural Producers Association TOMATO SECTOR RECOVERS"
of Horticultural Kountoura is recognized as
a producer group under the (EC) 1234 /2007 The pandemic was harmful for the horticultural sector in the
and (EC)1580/2007 and operates with focus
on vegetable production which meets the re- island of Crete, but the producers do not give up as the excep-
quirements of quality standards Agro 2.1 & tional quality of their products will save the year, according to
2.2 . AC Kountoura operates in the region of the President of AC Kountoura in Crete, Mr. George Halkias.
Chania, in Crete and the production of veg-
etables takes place with the most modern
and environmentally friendly techniques. From now on, how do you see the season
This way, we produce safe products, for going? info
the consumer free from pesticide residues We hope that the production costs are Company: Agricultural
and chemicals. We supply big super market covered this season, which will end in May. Producers Association
chains and customers in Greece and Europe. Moreover, we also hope for threats like Tuta
absoluta not to appear. of Horticultural Kountoura
What impact has the pandemic have to the Founded: 2000
Cretan vegetable market so far? What are your main products? Headquarters: Kountoura –
First of all, things are more or less the The production team was founded in 2000 Paleohora, 73001, Chania
same, regardless of which region of Crete as a Primary Agricultural Cooperative Organ- Tel.: +30 28230 83022,
the vegetables come from. The issue is that isation. The output of our members exclusive- +30 28230 41909
things did not go as we expected due to ly horticulture under glass (greenhouse). Of Fax: +30 28230 41816
weather conditions and the low consump- these the largest volume of production is cov- Website: www.opakoundoura.gr
tion because of Covid – 19. More specifically, ered by tomatoes, about 66%. Also cucum- E-mail: info@opakoundoura.gr,
the prices stood at low levels and I think the bers 16%, peppers 15% and eggplant to 3%. koudoura@cha.forthnet.gr
last period was not as good as we expect- Shipping
ed it to be. The main problems that we faced
during the pandemic were increased plant Our products can be shipped with your own transportation from the packaging in Agia Kiria-
productivity that could not be converted in- ki Kountoura the City Kantanos-schilling Chania. Alternatively, we can deliver them for you
to sales in Europe, closed markets, big de- through a number of transport companies that we cooperate. Due to the large capacity we
lays at the borders and consumers turning have, we provide our customers very competitive rates for transportation of vegetables from
to long-term products. our packing house to their final destination.

FROUTONEA 2021-22