The cherry blossoms of Pieria: The new tourist attraction of Greece

In alliance with the Pieria Organization for Tourism Development and Promotion (POTAP), they follow the model applied by the Hellenic Tourism Organization under the name "Blooming Routes" of Lefkadio Hern, the national pot of Japan with roots in the Greek island of Lefkada.

It is no coincidence that the great essayist Meneleos Ludemis was inspired by the aforementioned phenomenon and wrote his novel "The Cherries Will Bloom Again This Year". Farther back, in Japan, as early as the eighth century, the creation of the "hanami" trend began, which literally means "looking at flowers" and attracts millions of visitors every year in the spring in search of the authentic magic of nature.

In Greece, many characterize the cherry as the "rising star of Greek fruits", others estimate that it is already a barometer for our country, while a common finding is that this fruit, even in conditions of economic crisis, is on an upward trajectory and has managed to take the lead in terms of the seedling market - and planting - nationwide.

It is the transformation of those bare trees into pink fragrant clouds, as the cherry blossoms bloom and attest to the rebirth that spring brings and the landscapes turn into truly spectacular scenery, attracting young and old alike for a delightful walk, they report to APE-MPE officials of POTAP.

The cherry trees in Kolindros and Rachi Pieria
All his life, 69-year-old producer, Nikos Platsas, has been among cherry trees and was even born in a cherry tree in Kolindros, Pieria. He tells APE-MPE that in the period from 1958 to 1980, the region celebrated "the beginning of spring marked by the cherry blossoms. In fact, this first cherry festival was the first held nationwide in terms of agricultural products". In this context, he notes that during the two days a photo and video exhibition will be presented with moments from all those celebrations and families in the area are already opening trunks, dusting off photo albums and looking for material.

In the area of Kolindros, according to Mr. Platsas, 1,000 acres are cultivated with cherries, with the producers, who exceed 160 families, owning more than 40,000 trees and the annual average production exceeding 1 million kilos. According to him, exports are made all over Europe, to Russia and the Balkans.

"In October 2024 we will have the most modern unit in all of Greece", points out with particular joy and satisfaction the president of the Agricultural Cooperative of Rachi "Agios Loukas", Dimitris Douros, noting that the investment in building infrastructure and mechanical equipment and not alone, exceeds 3.5 million euros, started in September 2023 and is implemented with resources from the Development and Resilience Fund.

In the region of Rachi, according to him, 2,000 acres are cultivated with cherries. More than 250 people between the ages of 20 and 70 are engaged in production, cultivating more than 60,000 trees, while the annual average production exceeds 1,000 tons. "85% of our production is exported to markets in Asia, Europe and the Balkans. The cherries reach Italy, France and Romania, Dubai, Singapore, Malaysia and India," he notes characteristically, saying that his goal is to strengthen their presence in the markets they are already in and to strengthen the Rachi cherry in India.