The Hellenic Public Properties Company (ETAD) is bringing its agricultural properties to market through a pilot leasing programme that broadens the options for making use of its portfolio, while also aiming to support the primary sector.
In the first phase of the programme, ETAD is offering 99 selected agricultural properties for lease, covering a total area of 2,263,413 sq m across 11 Regional Units of the country: Rodopi, Thessaloniki, Pella, Serres, Imathia, Kastoria, Preveza, Trikala, Evia, Achaia and Aetolia-Acarnania.
Aim is to sustain agricultural activity
The initiative is part of ETAD’s strategy to bring its agricultural property portfolio into productive use, with the aim of creating economic and social value for local communities.
It also seeks to make agricultural land more accessible, particularly to young professional farmers, expand opportunities to grow existing crops and help sustain agricultural activity in rural Greece.
To implement the programme, ETAD is enhancing its digital application platform with a new online service through which interested parties can submit expressions of interest to lease agricultural properties directly, either in their entirety or in parts, exclusively for cultivation.
Interested parties can submit their applications through the new digital service until 30 November 2026.
Lease term: 4 + 4 years
The properties are leased exclusively for cultivation, for an initial term of four years, with the option to extend for a further four years.
The lease may be extended further by written agreement between the parties, provided the tenant has fully complied with the terms of the lease and has no overdue debts to ETAD.
Interested parties can find information on the application process and requirements on ETAD’s official website, www.hppc.gr, and through the dedicated digital service https://hppc.gr/ilektronikes aitiseis-ekmisthosi-agrotemachion.
The agricultural profile of the 11 Regional Units:
1-Rodopi
Agricultural land
Exclusively agricultural area: 557,240 stremmas.
Mixed area: 107,034 stremmas.
Production profile
The Komotini plain is considered one of Greece’s fertile agricultural areas. The main crops include cotton, maize, cereals, sunflowers and forage crops. Tobacco is grown in the mountainous areas.
The primary sector is an important source of economic activity and employment.
Development potential
Bringing additional land into cultivation could expand agricultural resources, create further employment opportunities and support farm incomes.
Access to agricultural land is particularly important for new producers in an area facing the challenges of population decline and the migration of young people.
2-Thessaloniki
Agricultural land
Exclusively agricultural area: 937,209 stremmas.
Mixed area: 155,843 stremmas.
Reported increase in exclusively agricultural area: 14,043 stremmas.
Production profile
Despite its urban and industrial development, Thessaloniki has an extensive and productive primary sector, concentrated mainly in the plains of the Axios, Gallikos, Langadas and Volvi rivers.
Chalastra and Kymina: A major rice-growing area.
Langadas and Chalkidona: Durum wheat, maize, cotton and sunflowers.
Other lowland areas: Greenhouse and open-field vegetable cultivation.
The Chalastra and Kymina area accounts for more than 60%-70% of domestic rice production and has significant export activity.
Development potential
Agricultural land is under pressure from residential development, infrastructure projects and the expansion of the Sindos industrial zone. Making use of agricultural properties could help preserve and strengthen the region’s productive base.
3-Pella
Agricultural land
Exclusively agricultural area: 613,763 stremmas.
Mixed area: 67,261 stremmas.
Reported increase: 18,312 stremmas.
Production profile
Pella is one of the country’s most important agricultural regions, with particularly well-developed fruit growing.
Main products:
- Peaches and nectarines.
- Cherries.
- Apples, apricots and plums.
- Kiwifruit and asparagus.
- Cereals and cotton.
The area has modern fruit grading, packing and processing facilities, as well as significant export activity.
Key figures for cherries:
- 111,211 stremmas under cherry cultivation.
- 75% share of national production.
- Economic contribution of €144 million.
Development potential
Making additional agricultural land available could support the expansion of existing farms and strengthen the region’s export potential.
4-Serres
Agricultural land
Exclusively agricultural area: 996,997 stremmas.
Mixed area: 194,540 stremmas.
Reported increase: 21,865 stremmas.
Production profile
The Strymonas plain is one of the country’s most productive agricultural areas.
Main crops:
- Maize.
- Cotton.
- Wheat.
- Processing tomatoes.
- Rice, particularly in areas around Lake Kerkini.
Development potential
Access to arable land could make it easier for young farmers to establish themselves professionally and for existing production units to expand.
5-Imathia
Agricultural land
Exclusively agricultural area: 372,507 stremmas.
Mixed area: 33,642 stremmas.
Reported increase: 43,042 stremmas.
Production profile
Imathia is characterised by high productivity and a strong export focus.
Main products:
- Peaches and nectarines.
- Apples and kiwifruit.
- Cherries and plums.
- Wine products.
The Naousa PDO wine-growing zone, with its Xinomavro grape variety, is particularly important.
Development potential
Strengthening primary production could complement the region’s substantial processing activity, particularly in fruit grading, canning, packaging and preservation.
The pilot programme is solely for cultivation and does not cover the establishment of processing facilities.
6-Kastoria
Agricultural land
Exclusively agricultural area: 129,350 stremmas.
Mixed area: 44,702 stremmas.
Reported increase: 55,274 stremmas.
Production profile
Kastoria has limited arable land because of its mountainous terrain and extensive forest areas.
Important agricultural products:
- Apples.
- Kastoria PGI beans.
Development potential
The local economy is adapting following the contraction of the traditional fur industry.
Strengthening the primary sector could help diversify the region’s production base and create further economic opportunities.
7-Preveza
Agricultural land
Exclusively agricultural area: 88,803 stremmas.
Mixed area: 78,183 stremmas.
Reported increase: 5,370 stremmas.
Production profile
Preveza has the smallest exclusively agricultural area of the 11 Regional Units. Greenhouse cultivation is particularly important, with tomatoes and cucumbers as the main products.
Development potential
The limited availability of arable land makes the use of additional agricultural areas important in supporting local producers.
8-Trikala
Agricultural land
Exclusively agricultural area: 265,551 stremmas.
Mixed area: 136,249 stremmas.
Production profile
Trikala is an important part of Thessaly’s agricultural economy.
Main activities:
- Growing forage crops.
- Cotton and maize cultivation.
- Herb cultivation.
- Livestock farming and milk production.
The area has particularly strong links between the primary sector and the food industry. Dairy, cheese-making and cured-meat production facilities are well represented.
Development potential
Expanding cultivated areas could boost raw material production and strengthen the links between farming, livestock and processing.
9-Evia
Agricultural land
Exclusively agricultural area: 293,903 stremmas.
Mixed area: 172,220 stremmas.
Reported increase: 5,370 stremmas.
Production profile
Agricultural production includes:
- Olive growing.
- Viticulture.
- Vegetables.
- Beekeeping and traditional activities linked to forest ecosystems.
The major wildfires in northern Evia in 2021 significantly affected resin-tappers and beekeepers.
Development potential
Increasing the availability of agricultural land could support the island’s productive recovery, particularly in areas affected by the fires.
10-Achaia
Agricultural land
Exclusively agricultural area: 282,793 stremmas.
Mixed area: 285,947 stremmas.
Production profile
Achaia has a strong tradition of producing:
- Wine.
- Raisins.
- Olive oil and olives.
A significant share of agricultural activity is concentrated in western Achaia.
Development potential
Residential development is putting pressure on available agricultural land, increasing the importance of bringing additional areas into productive use.
11-Aetolia-Acarnania
Agricultural land
Exclusively agricultural area: 393,046 stremmas.
Mixed area: 489,538 stremmas.
Production profile
Aetolia-Acarnania is Greece’s largest Regional Unit by area and has a diverse agricultural sector.
Main products:
- Cereals and maize.
- Citrus fruits.
- Kalamata olives.
- Rice.
- Grapes.
- Tobacco.
Development potential
Making additional areas available could facilitate the expansion of existing crops and improve the productive capacity of farms.