Beans grown in the Prespa region of Florina, in northern Greece, are among the country's most recognised agricultural products, holding Protected Designation of Origin status since 1996. Varieties such as "Plake," "Gigantes," and "Elefantes" are deeply connected to the area's ecosystem and local economy. However, recent climate changes are increasingly threatening their cultivation.
Bean crops are highly sensitive to elevated temperatures, especially during flowering and fruit-setting stages. Temperatures above 30°C-32°C can cause flower drop, impair fertilisation, and reduce yields. Speaking to Voria.gr, Professor Fokion Papathanasiou of the University of Western Macedonia stated that "the summers of the last five years have brought prolonged heatwaves to the Prespa basin… resulting in average yield reductions of 40%-50% compared to previous decades."
Climate forecasts for the region indicate further difficulties, as under various greenhouse gas emission scenarios, average temperatures in Prespa are projected to rise by 1.5°C-3°C by 2070. Days with temperatures exceeding 35°C are expected to become more frequent, while drought periods are likely to be more common and severe. These developments raise concerns about the long-term sustainability of a product so closely linked to a specific natural environment.
Papathanasiou stressed the importance of the crop, stating: "The Prespa bean is identity, history and the soul of the local community." The threats pose substantial economic impacts, as bean cultivation is a key pillar of the local economy, supporting hundreds of families. Papathanasiou explained that "reduced production, combined with continuously rising input costs, cuts into net profit and leads some producers, especially younger ones, to abandon cultivation or even the area itself." He added that this trend is contributing to rural outmigration, an ageing farming population, and weakening social cohesion in an already remote region.
In response, the Department of Agriculture at the University of Western Macedonia, based in Florina, is collaborating with producers, cooperatives, and local authorities through national and European research programmes to promote the local product and confront climate-related challenges.
As part of this effort, an open information event was organised in cooperation with the Municipality of Prespa and the Society for the Protection of Prespa. Discussions focused on the impact of high temperatures, future climate trends, potential alternative crops, and ways to adapt agricultural practices.
By Nikos Avoukatos - adapted from Greek by Vassia Barba
