Greece
Greece is a rather small country situated on the south - eastern part of Europe with a population of about 11 million. The climate varies from north to south but in general is mild and favours the growth of a wide range of crops, cereals, roots, vegetables, cotton, tobacco, olive trees, vineyards, fruits and alfalfa, as well as forest.
The land area of Greece is 13.2 million hectares of which 30% is devoted to crops, 40% to pasture, and 20% to forestry. The average size of the agricultural holdings falls within a broad range of 2 to 10 hectares with a considerable number of mixed holdings (crops and livestock).
The population of Greece is distributed in lowlands (69%), hills (21%) and mountains (10%), with 16.3% of the active population involved in agriculture. Agriculture represents only 6.7% of the Gross National product, with 75% of its coming from crops and 25% from livestock production.
The seasonality of production of the natural vegetation, combined with low rainfall, high temperature and low organic content of the soil are some of the main constrains on the development of livestock production in relation to crops.

Agriculture in Greece
Dairy sheep (8 millions) and goats (5.5 millions) are considered as the most significant livestock sector in Greece with a long continuity of the ancient tradition. Sheep (9 main dairy and 18 rare breeds) and goats (local native breeds) are kept mainly extensively in less favored areas, in rather small sized flocks, and produce milk which is transformed mainly into Feta cheese with special aroma, taste and flavor. This farming system is of great significance from an economic, cultural and environmental point of view.
Dairy cows, fattening cattle, pigs and poultry are kept mainly intensively indoors. The grasslands of Greece (83% state owned) are more suitable for sheep and goats grazing. They are composed mainly of annual species with great botanical interest (~6.500 species). These grazing areas of Greece receive no application of artificial fertilizers, nor agrochemicals and no agricultural management other than grazing which benefits a wide range of flora and fauna (e.g. birds, insects, snails, turtles, hedgehogs, hares, rabbits, foxes etc.).
The self-sufficiency of the country in products of animal origin is 28% in beef meat, 40% in pork, 82% in sheep and goat meat, 76% in poultry, 50% in cow’s milk and milk products, 100% in sheep and goats milk, 97% in eggs and 87% in honey. Greece is also the European leader in aquaculture with high exports.