Cyclades Region to Set Up Agri-food and Gastronomy Cluster

The South Aegean Region  together with the Cyclades Chamber and the region’s development company announced this week the implementation of a three-year cluster project budgeted at 3.2 million euros to bring together producers and businesses active in agri-food production with the aim to promote the Cyclades as a gourmet destination and its products worldwide.

Following in the steps of the Aegean Cuisine Network, the cluster for Cycladic-food and gastronomy products will be part of the region’s development plan.

The entity will among others offer knowhow and guidance to local businesses involved in the cluster in order to prepare them to fully exploit the potential of their products and services and to enter new target markets; arrange for the distribution of Cycladic products at strategic points in Attica; run retail outlets on popular Cycladic islands; set up as part of a pilot program vending machines offering Cycladic agricultural products at main arrivals posts; operate an e-shop for local agri-food products both retail and wholesale.

Under the ambitious project the Region also aims to implement a far-reaching campaign to promote Cycladic gastronomy, its products and recipes while at the same time tapping into the visibility of the islands in order to increase the demand both within the region and in new markets.

The cluster will also serve as a networking channel for agri-food businesses in the Cyclades, paving the way for collaborations with other organizations and businesses in selected target markets.

Regional authorities underline that the initiative will create new jobs in the field of agri-food in the Cyclades, and offer younger generations the incentive to remain on the islands and become active in the production and marketing of local traditional goods.