Municipality of Agia – The Region That Produces Greece’s Most Famous Cherries, Apples, and Chestnuts

Text: Gianna Balafouti
We warmly thank Cantina magazine for kindly granting us the article

Behind all the delicious and ultra-fresh fruits that we easily find and enjoy, there are groups of producers, cooperatives, and professional farmers—both new and experienced—who work hard to supply the major urban centers. Here, things are the opposite of the typical cliché of the “blessed land”, because the real blessing of Agia lies in its people: hardworking individuals who cultivate the land despite numerous challenges such as hailstorms, intense droughts, labor shortages, and low product prices.

What fruits are produced in the Thessalian plain?

The apples of Agia account for 30% of the area's strong export-oriented production, followed by apricots (9%), peaches (7%), and cherries (6%). Producers often set up roadside stalls along the main road, selling their goods directly to visitors. “Our family has been cultivating cherries for over 35 years, and we sell them at farmers' markets. This year, since we didn’t have a proper winter, our yield was lower. The heatwave has shifted the harvesting schedule, so we come to the orchard in the afternoons when it's cooler. We’re now collecting the last of the crop and need to hurry because we’ve been warned about a hailstorm the day after tomorrow,” explains cherry grower Vasiliki Drolia from Agia.

The chestnuts of Melivoia and Karitsa on the road to PDO status

Chestnut production and trade in the area dates back to antiquity, associated with the ancient city of Kasthanaia, near Skliro. The city was a center for chestnut cultivation and commerce. Today, chestnut groves span across the Kissavos and Mavrovouni mountains, with production increasing thanks to the renewal of orchards. The intensification of cultivation, organic disease control, and the farmers’ expertise help maintain high-quality standards.

Melivoia chestnuts are now renowned for their exceptional quality, shiny appearance, large size, and unique taste. “In recent years, the Agricultural Cooperative of Melivoia, in collaboration with the Municipality of Agia, has been working to have the chestnuts recognized as a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), in order to increase their visibility both in the domestic and European markets,” explains president Vangelis Kraniotis.

“Apples of Agia” seek Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status

Around 1950, the first apple orchards began to appear in Agia, initially with the well-known *firikia* apples. Later came other varieties such as Delicia and Renetta. From the 1980s onwards, more resilient and marketable varieties were introduced, such as Imperial, Royal, Double Red, Wellspur, Red Chief, Starkimson, along with the yellow varieties Golden, Jona Golden, Smoothy, and the green Granny Smith. Today, the dominant varieties include Starkrimson and Redchief, the summer variety Jesey Mac, the yellow Golden, and the rising star, Granny Smith.