Potato movement

The potato movement (Greek κίνημα της πατάτας, Kinima tis patatas ) is a self-help initiative, which was created in Greece by producers and consumers in 2012 of agricultural products in order to supply consumers with cutting out the middleman directly with agricultural products and thus to bring inflation under control.

Formation

The initiative grew out of the economic hardship, has run into Greece following the financial crisis. The end user price of potatoes was increased by the profit margins of middlemen to up to 0.80 euro per kg. Due to the recession, many consumers were no longer willing or able to pay this price, so sales plummeted sharply. Potato producers who received only from 0.11 to 0.12 euro per kg, therefore distributed in Thessaloniki potatoes free among the population. Hence the idea to achieve through direct sales prices that are below cost and affordable for consumers to producers emerged.

Promotions

Potatoes are sold to previously announced times and locations in the direct sales of trucks down in containers 10 to 15 kilos for 0.25 to 0.30 euros per kilo, while the retail price is about twice as high. Various consumer groups are using the Internet and telephone communication you in touch with producer groups and cooperatives for bulk orders.

Spread

Direct sales were initially carried out in provincial cities such as Katerini, where within four days of 24 tons of potatoes were sold, and soon reached the larger cities such as Athens. The potato producers from the growing area of Nevrokopi translated in this way within a few weeks from between 15,000 and 17,000 tonnes of potatoes. The movement recognized consumer groups, clubs and communities in various regions of Greece, such as in Volos and various municipalities of Attica as the municipality Pallini

The movement quickly became popular, the demand stretched out to other agricultural products, which more and more producer groups consumers supplied in direct sales. So have been marketed directly: olive oil, flour, rice, beans, fruits and vegetables. For the Easter season, direct sales of lambs is provided, which are sold in approximately Evros to 7-8 euros per kilo, while in Butchers 12 to 13 euros were paid.

Policy approach

The potato movement surprised the official government policy of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, but also the political parties. The left SYRIZA and the Dimokratiki Aristera (Democratic Left Party) welcomed the efforts of the citizens, while the communist KKE regretted the step and the citizens asked not to participate. She called the potato movement as " immoral propaganda campaign to deceive the people." At the same time the Ministry of Economy said to support the movement by a state Internet portal, can be queried in the promotions.