EU-Mercosur: Market Opening for Greek Products

The free trade agreement between the European Union and the Mercosur countries (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay) opens a market of 300 million consumers for Greek products.

The agreement, which comes after 20 years of negotiations, provides for the gradual elimination of import duties, benefiting products such as olive oil, cheeses, kiwis, peaches and bakery products. It also includes the protection of 20 Greek geographical indications, such as ouzo, tsipouro, feta, and mastic of Chios.

Greek exports to Mercosur countries currently amount to approximately 34 million euros. The reduction of tariffs is expected to increase exports and the market share of Greek companies.

However, there are also reactions from agricultural organizations regarding competition from cheaper agricultural products. The European Commission has presented a draft regulation to strengthen safeguard mechanisms, including the possibility of intervention in cases of market disruption.

The Secretary-General of Agricultural Policy and International Relations of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, Antonis Filippis, stated that agreements should include effective protection and monitoring mechanisms.

The Minister of Rural Development and Food, Kostas Tsiaras, emphasized the importance of safeguard clauses.

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, proposed allocating approximately 45 billion euros to support farmers.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis welcomed the initiative to support the agricultural sector.