„Greece is interested in know-how for sustainable agriculture“
Jens Kremer, Managing Director of DLG International GmbH, on the recent delegation trip to Thessaloniki
Greece and Germany aim to intensify their cooperation in various economic and research areas, including agriculture and renewable energy. In line with this, Germany was the partner country for the Thessaloniki International Fair, which took place in September 2024. To mark this occasion, a delegation trip to Thessaloniki was made in the first half of September with Federal Ministers for Economic Affairs, Robert Habeck (Green Party), and Agriculture, Cem Özdemir (Green Party). The DLG was part of the delegation, represented by Jens Kremer, Managing Director of DLG International GmbH. In this interview, he discusses agriculture in Greece and Germany, areas of cooperation, and his experiences during the delegation trip.
DLG Newsroom: What made the DLG's expertise valuable on the delegation trip to Thessaloniki?
Jens Kremer: The DLG, as an international platform for the agricultural and food industry, brings extensive expertise in connecting global agricultural markets. During the trip with Federal Minister for Agriculture Cem Özdemir to Thessaloniki, several discussions were held with stakeholders from the Greek agricultural and food sectors. These were both bilateral and organized around various themes, such as sustainable agriculture, digitalization in agriculture, and agri-photovoltaics. The DLG was able to contribute its experience with corresponding solutions as well as marketplaces and markets overall.
What concrete results or next steps for cooperation emerged from the delegation trip?
Particularly in discussions with Greek stakeholders from the agrifood business, including farmers, producers, processors, and food manufacturers, it became clear that there is a significant need for information and clarification regarding the import of products to Germany. Specifically, the sometimes strict regulatory hurdles, such as necessary certifications or labeling, were key topics. Furthermore, despite the common EU internal market, the existing processes related to the import and customs clearance of products were also mentioned as economic barriers. This was acknowledged by Cem Özdemir as well as the DLG, and follow-up discussions on these and other topics were agreed upon.
It was also discussed how German and Greek companies could work together more closely, particularly in areas such as smart farming and irrigation technologies. Further cooperation projects could involve the development of joint platforms for knowledge exchange.
What offerings could the DLG present to Greek partners for knowledge transfer?
Specifically, the DLG was able to offer representatives of agricultural production businesses the opportunity to learn about innovative production methods and the latest technology in livestock management during EuroTier 2024, which will take place from November 12 to 15 in Hannover. After all, EuroTier is the leading trade fair for international livestock professionals.
To what extent are there already connections between agriculture and agricultural policy in Greece and the DLG?
There are already connections in the form of knowledge exchange and participation of Greek companies in DLG fairs. Future collaborations could focus on improving irrigation systems or managing water scarcity and soil degradation.
What are the biggest differences between the agricultural and agribusiness structures in Greece and Germany?
In Greece, agriculture is often organized on a smaller scale and is more influenced by traditional farming methods, particularly in olive cultivation and wine production. Agribusiness structures are less industrialized than in Germany, where larger operations and a focus on technology and efficiency are prevalent. Greece is also significantly affected by climatic challenges such as drought.
In which areas of agriculture can Germany benefit from the know-how and experiences of Greece?
Greece has extensive experience with adaptation strategies for drought and extreme weather conditions. Expertise in irrigation technologies and the cultivation of drought-resistant crops could help Germany further develop its own climate adaptation strategies.
Conversely, in which areas can Greece benefit from German agricultural know-how?
Greece can benefit from Germany's advancements in digitalization, precision agriculture, and sustainable agricultural technology. Additionally, in food processing and marketing, particularly regarding export markets, German know-how could provide valuable insights. Greek producers could particularly benefit from Germany's experiences in quality standards and international certifications to better qualify their products for export.
Furthermore, I see significant potential for targeted cooperation between Greek and German producers, for example in distribution networks, to specifically open new export markets, such as the Southeast Asia region.
What was the personal experience of the delegation trip?
The trip was a valuable opportunity to better understand the Greek agricultural landscape and the challenges on the ground. It was impressive to see how committed Greek companies and politicians from both sides are to modernizing the agricultural sector. This led to numerous engaging discussions and networking opportunities. Witnessing the diplomatic sensitivity and respect with which ministers and their staff conducted the discussions was particularly impressive.
The trip also demonstrated to me how important dialogue and networking are for the development of sustainable agricultural solutions.
Interview: Stefanie Pionke, DLG Newsroom
