Introduction

Στην καρδιά της περιοχής του Nestos valley,, μια περιοχή που φημίζεται για τις πλούσιες γεωργικές της καλλιέργειες, βρίσκεται ο Αγροτικός Συνεταιρισμός Σπαραγγοπαραγωγών Νέστου – Α.Σ. ΝΕΣΤΟΣ, ένας από τους πιο επιτυχημένους και δυναμικούς αγροτικούς οργανισμούς της Ελλάδας.

At their modern facilities, we were welcomed by Tasos Karkantzalos and Stelios Parashakis, two of the cooperative’s leading executives, who gave us a tour of the premises and spoke about the cooperative’s long-standing history, its ongoing progress, and the innovative approaches they implement to ensure the high quality of their products and their success in international markets.

The Founding and Vision of the Cooperative

A.S. NESTOS was founded in 1988 through the initiative of a group of producers who wanted to introduce a dynamic crop to the Nestos region. There was an urgent need to restructure the local agriculture, as most crops at that time were annual. The founders aimed to promote asparagus as a key and dynamic product that would open new prospects for the area. Nestos became the first cooperative of its kind in the region, and from the very beginning, it was clear that it would be a strong player in the agricultural production of Nestos.

The Golden Decade of Asparagus

The “golden decade” for asparagus was the 1990s, when it emerged as the region’s leading export product, with the Agricultural Cooperative of Nestos taking a leading role in exports, primarily to Germany. Its cultivation experienced significant growth and became the foundation for establishing the cooperative in international markets. Over the years, however, production began to decline, affected by factors such as labor shortages and changes in market demand. The “golden decade” for asparagus was the 1990s, when it emerged as the region’s leading export product, with the Agricultural Cooperative of Nestos taking a leading role in exports, primarily to Germany. Its cultivation experienced significant growth and became the foundation for establishing the cooperative in international markets. Over the years, however, production began to decline, affected by factors such as labor shortages and changes in market demand.

The Emerging Cultivation of Kiwifruit

From 2005 onwards, the cultivation of kiwifruit experienced rapid growth in the Nestos region, with A.S. NESTOS following this trend and investing in the crop. As asparagus cultivation gradually declined, kiwifruit took over as the cooperative’s main product. Leveraging the experience and expertise gained from processing and exporting asparagus, Nestos successfully managed kiwifruit cultivation in the same effective way. Very quickly, kiwifruit became the cooperative’s primary export product, with exports expanding not only to European markets but also to markets in the Far East and North America.

The recognition and experience of A.S. NESTOS in the kiwifruit sector established it early on as one of the leaders in the Greek market, with continuous investments in quality and innovation.

Contributing to this direction was the research project “Nestos Premium Kiwi,” in which the Cooperative participated with the support of ena Development Consultants and in collaboration with Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. The project was part of the “Investment Plans for Innovation, Research, and Business Development” initiative within the Regional Smart Specialization Strategy (RIS3) sectors, under the Operational Program “Eastern Macedonia and Thrace 2014–2020.”

The project aimed to develop and implement a comprehensive kiwifruit management protocol that would enable exports to distant markets such as China, the Far East, and North America (USA and Canada), as well as to closer markets like Poland.

During the project’s implementation, modern Non-Destructive Testing techniques were applied to assess fruit quality at harvest. Transportation trials and simulations were conducted to ensure quality preservation during distribution, while quality and controlled ripening protocols were developed to optimize the product characteristics for international markets.

At the same time, targeted promotional activities and commercial exploitation of the results were carried out, along with knowledge dissemination efforts directed at producers, industry professionals, the scientific community, and the wider public, strengthening the cooperative’s position both in the Greek and international markets.

We had the opportunity to learn about the important results of the project for kiwifruit cultivation at the results dissemination event organized by #enaevents in December 2021 at the Municipal Amphitheater of Chrysoupoli.

Ena’s collaboration with the Nestos Cooperative, however, began much earlier when A.S. NESTOS was included under Investment Law 4399/2016 for the modernization and expansion of the cooperative’s sorting and packaging unit. The 50% subsidy provided by the program enabled the acquisition of new mechanical equipment and strengthened the production process, making the cooperative more competitive in the market and achieving higher quality and greater efficiency in packaging and storage operations.

Future Plans and Prospects

The Agricultural Cooperative of Nestos Asparagus Producers, with its many years of presence in the Greek and international markets, continues to invest in the future, focusing on the ongoing strengthening of kiwifruit production and exports. One of its main goals is to achieve recognition of Nestos kiwifruit as a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) product, in order to internationally acknowledge its high quality and boost its export potential. At the same time, the Cooperative aims to develop new products and actively participate in innovation and research programs to maintain its position as a leader in the sector and ensure its competitiveness in global markets.

The Cooperative’s export activity is continuously expanding into markets such as Asia, North America, and Europe, aiming to establish its presence on international shelves and strengthen its global brand recognition. To achieve this, it invests in the ongoing upgrading of its infrastructure, the implementation of new technologies for better product management, and the enhancement of its product quality.

Additionally, the Cooperative plans strategic investments to modernize its facilities and implement innovative practices, while simultaneously working to reduce financial risks for its producers. It also aims to diversify its crops to ensure economic stability and continuous production throughout the year. Through these strategies, A.S. NESTOS seeks to secure stable cash flows and reduce dependence on seasonal fluctuations, thereby enhancing the sustainability and security of its producers.

Thank you very much to the Agricultural Cooperative of Asparagus Producers of Nestos, and more specifically to... Tasos Karkantzalos και τον Stelios Parashakis for their warm hospitality, the guided tour, and the pleasant discussion during our visit.

In the 42nd Business Story, the following representatives from ena Development Consultants participated: Salomi Palamida, Development Consultant for the OSD Sector Konstantinos Lepidas, Development Consultant for the Primary Sector Stella Bazdani, Coordinator of Public Sector Consulting Services & European Programs Nikos Charalampogiannis, Coordinator of Consulting Services for the Development Law & Business Growth Maria Kariofilaki, Head of the Marketing Department