Celebrated Greek cheesemakers brought low by inflation

Issued on: 28/11/2022 – 07:30

Náxos () (AFP) – On his bougainvillaea-covered farm on the of Naxos, milks his sheep, wondering anxiously how he will cope with soaring costs and keep his cheesemaking business afloat.

After the war in sparked an inflationary spiral in the price of cereals, fuel and other goods, farmers on Naxos and across the country have been left fearing for their survival.

“I earn nothing from my cheeses,” says the septuagenarian, who makes Naxos graviera, a hard yellow cheese popular throughout and beyond.

“I work day and night and despite this, I still cannot live.”

Inflation in rose to 12 percent in September before dropping to 9.1 percent in October.

Celebrated Greek Cheesemakers Brought Low By InflationThe squeeze on animal feed has resulted in a fall in milk production AFP

Even though the government announced nearly 280 million euros ($291 million) in support benefits for young farmers earlier this year, there is still heavy pressure on the country’s agricultural sector which employs 11 percent of the workforce.

“Last year, a bag of feed cost 14 euros. This year it’s 21 euros. Gasoline has skyrocketed to 2.30 euros per litre at the moment,” the greying Karganis sighs, stirring a large cauldron to make cheese in his small kitchen.

Social stress

Throughout the country, social pressure is rising in the face of soaring .

In November, a general strike on the issue paralysed Greece.

, head of the union of Naxos agricultural cooperatives, warns that if nothing changes “in the medium term, there will be no more milk on the Greek market, no meat, potatoes, or anything else.”

Naxos graviera is one of Greece - Celebrated Greek Cheesemakers Brought Low By Inflation's most popular cheesesNaxos graviera is one of Greece’s most popular cheeses AFP

Naxos graviera — made from 80 percent cow’s milk and 20…

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