Expected results

Benefits for the participating members

The cultivation of oregano is the largest among the Greek aromatic plants cultivated in Greece: approximately 6,000 acres in the project area.

The product is directed to the Greek and foreign markets, either as grated oregano or as essential oil. The prices vary, with the essential oil being higher and especially the organic one. The biggest problem focuses on the availability of oregano at satisfactory prices, due to the great competition and the lack of standardization, but also on the need for sustainable production.

The Operational Plan will increase the added value of the Operational Group’s oregano due to:

  • of the implementation of GAP (less inputs, safer product, marketing element)
  • of the results for adapting the crop to more suitable agro-ecological conditions (protocol of optimal crop conditions with a combination of soil and climate parameters)
  • characterizing the quality profile of the oregano of the O.G. according to the standards of international organizations
  • Collection of information for accreditation of the Propagation Material of the area and investigation of conditions for registration as a traditional variety or PGI product (marketing element)

With the implementation of the above (1,2,3) a reduction of production costs of at least 10% is expected, a corresponding increase in the selling price of oregano by 10-15%. The growth of added value of oregano will be further strengthened in the post-Covid era, with an estimated increase (+4.5%) in the global consumption of flavorings and spices by 2025, as well as an increase in the global oregano oil market from $5 to $7.2 US Million (2020-2027).