The
Cooperative

The history

In 1992 in Elafonissi of the Municipality of Kissamos, the first producer recognizing the potentiasl of the region due to the special climate and the sunny weather even during winter, installed the first greenhouse. The example of the first producer of the Elafonisi tomato, also followed other producers three years later, constantly establishing new production units. Recognizing the quality, the special taste and awareness which the product had now begun to acquire both domestically and in foreign markets, 10 years after the establishment of the first tomato production unit, it was decided at the instigation of the producer and the establishment of the ‘Agricultural Association of Horticultural Producers Greenhouse of Elafonisi-Chrysoskalitisa’. The cooperative was founded in 2002 numbering 20 members and about 200 acres of cultivated acres. The vision and thinking were then common: The consolidation of the producers in an organized group, with equal rights, to increase the present possibilities, to create a model for the time unit to collect and package the product and spread in even larger markets but driven with basic conservation and also the improvement of quality. The vision, the disposition of all for production improvement at all levels, the opportunities and challenges of the markets made the Agricultural Cooperative of Horticultural Producers Greenhouse of Elafonisi-Chrysoskalitisa a standard unit of cooperatives in Western Crete.

Today the Agricultural Cooperative of Producers of Horticultural Greenhouse of Elafonisi-Chrysoskalitisa owns infrastructure both for production and for the subsequent sorting and packaging. With production areas reaching 200 acres and facilities over 1000 sq.m. equipped with the latest type of mechanical equipment, and certified to ISO 22000. The main crop product is the tomato of medium sized fruit in different varieties like: Elpida, Belladonna, Dafni and any particular Acorn type hybrids, Cherry and Pontormo. In its continuous evolution both crops and finished product for years are among the permanent staff agronomists and qualified employees who care so much for the update, and to educate producers on anything new about the crop of tomatoes. The procedures followed for years now are driven by the exploitation of natural resources while respecting the environment and its balance. Our soils are rich in calcium as well as irrigation water in the region derived from drilling in limestone rocks. These two features give the Elafonisi tomato extra flavor and greater sustainability naturally.

Our vision

Our vision is the consolidation of the cooperative in the markets of Europe, continuing the production of healthy products with high nutritional value. At the same time we ensure the continuous education of the producer members in anything new on the proper utilization of land, environmental protection, and enhancement of the Elafonisi tomato as a key component of the Mediterranean diet.

Our mission

The production of a tomato of high quality and flavor based on the unique characteristics of the soil and water of the region.

Our values

In cooperative, we are committed to six core values, which define both the way we work, and the way we evolve from the beginning of the creation of the cooperative.

Respect. We respect the most of nature and our land. We respect the heritage we leave to our children.

Knowledge. We strive daily to learn the tomato and our land increasingly, to evolve the way of production, always with respect in mind.

Mutuality. We learn from those who have something to teach us, and we are open to share our knowledge with anyone who asks for our help.

Cooperation. It is the root of the cooperative. We follow this from day one.

Continuous Improvement. It is based on our desire to do all the difference. We work to achieve common goals and act as a whole. We care about our people, and we invest in them and to their continuous improvement.

Profit. The gain us the satisfaction of the final users, but also the smiles on producers' faces when they see their effort yield, when they see the seed becomes a tender sprout and eventually leaf, blossom and fruit.

The cooperative currently consists of 22 producers. All the construction of greenhouses of members in cooperatives are modern and metal type as defined by the strict standards set by the cooperative. The members of the cooperative are certified based on the agro standards 2.1 & 2.2 and globalgap. All cultures of producer - members are monitored in all phases by a qualified arborist. This ensures that producers will get the right guidance and will not create unnecessary interventions in the crops. All our actions are recorded in field diaries as specified in the integrated management system we follow (agro 2.1 and 2.2 and globalgap) and the high standards we impose to ensure the final products’ quality and protection of the region in which we operate.