The Corfiot Olive Grove

8/10/2019 The Corfiot Olive Grove

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Dr Georgios Papaioannou (Lecturer, Ionian University, Corfu)

Dr Konstantinos Doukakis (Researcher)

The Programme is co-funded by the European Union, Instrument of Pre-Accession Assistance

The Corfiot Olive Grove:

modern history, economy & prospects

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The Adriatic Olive Grove:

Risk Prevention, Sustainability, LearningAOGRPSL 245

Ionian University

Province of Rimini

Agricultural University of Tirana

The Programme is co-funded by the European Union, Instrument of Pre-Accession AssistanceThe Programme is co-funded by the European Union, Instrument of Pre-Accession Assistance


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Parts of this presentation:

Images of the Corfiot Olive grove

The historical formation of the Corfiot olive groveDirect and indirect benefits from olive cultivation in

Corfu

The Corfiot olive grove today and what can we do

The Corfiot Olive Grove:

modern history, economy & prospects

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The historical formation of the Corfiot olive grove 1/2)

Corfu was under the Venetian rule for more than fourcenturies.

During the period of the Venetians, Corfuseconomy

changed significantly.

One of the main changes related to cultivation: the

island became a vast olive grove.

The products of the Olive Grove (olives, olive oil,

olive wood) had various uses: consumption,lubrication, fuel, etc.

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During the British occupation of the Ionian Islands inthe 19th century, the British Empire took control of

Corfus products, olive oil being the most important

Corfiot product.

The British introduced new laws on the Corfiot landsfor cultivation. They increased land for olive groves

even more.

At that period the Corfiot Olive Grove took its currentshape and characteristics.

As a result the Ionian Islands acquired a dual identity: A trade crossroad from East to West and vice versa.

A main production center for olive oil in Corfu.

The historical formation of the Corfiot olive grove 2/2)

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Overall Cultivated Area vs. Olive Grove Cultivated Area in Corfu

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

700,000

800,000900,000

1830 1831 1832 1833 1835 1836 1837 1838 1839 1841 1842 1843 1844

(m2)

Olive Grove Cultivated Area

Total Cultivated Area


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Percentage of the Olive Grove Cultivated Area

in the Total Cultivated Area

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%60.0%

70.0%

80.0%

1830 1831 1832 1833 1835 1836 1837 1838 1839 1841 1842 1843 1844


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Distribution of Labour Force in Corfu

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

140,000160,000

180,000

200,000

220,000

240,000

260,000

1828 1830 1832 1834 1858

Total Population

Total Labour Force

Labour Force in the Argicultural Sector

Labour force in Crafts

Labour force in the trade sector


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Percentage Distribution of the Labour Force

0%

10%

20%30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%100%

1828 1830 1832 1834 1858

Labour force in the trade sector

Labour force in Crafts

Labour Force in the Argicultural Sector


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Direct and indirect benefits

from olive cultivation in Corfu

Until the mid-1960s, the cultivation of the OliveGrove was the main economic activity of the labour

force in Corfu.

After 1960, people in Corfu invested olive oil profits

in the tourist industry.

The olive grove, thanks to its natural beauty, offered

added value to the tourist endeavor. It offered, and

still offers, an impressive scenery that touristsappreciate.

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The Corfiot olive grove today

In the 1990s, the tourism business in Corfu grew

immensely. Olive grove cultivation declined. More than 60% of the olive grove is not cultivated

anymore. Nowadays, a small portion of the Corfiot

labour force is fully dedicated to olive grove

cultivation. Young people find almost no institutional support and

encouragement to take initiatives for olive oil

cultivation.

Nowadays the Corfiot olive grove has been

fragmented to many small portions owned by many

people. It is very difficult for large-scale economic

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Average income per 1000m2

0

10

20

30

40

50

6070

80

90

100110

1996 1997 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2011

PriceinEuro

Lowland zone

Semi-mountainous zone

Highland zone


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Biennial Procuction in Tones

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

3000035000

40000

45000

50000

55000

60000

1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006


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Price per Kg

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

Price

in

Euro


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Documents

The Corfiot Olive Grove