Status-quo and perspectives of protected vegetables for a sustainable production in South-East Europe

Although protected cultivation in some South-Eastern-European (SEE) countries has lost some of its importance after the social changes in the 90s, the production of vegetables under protected conditions still remains a vital branch of the horticulture industry. The total protected cultivation area in SEE countries amounts to about 102,090 ha which corresponds to approximately 5.22% of the total vegetable cultivated area. Production of these structures is about 8,321,261 t which corresponds to approximately 20% of the total vegetable production in these countries. On the other hand, countries such as e.g., Turkey and Greece did not experience these changes and are very well known for their vegetable production not only in the Mediterranean region but worldwide, whereas in other countries such as e.g., Albania new developments have recently stimulated vegetables greenhouse production. In this study we present the current status-quo and future perspectives of protected vegetables for a sustainable production in South-East Europe. For this reason a questionnaire was prepared and completed for each country. Different data concerning the area used for vegetable production, most importantly vegetable cultures, type of construction, age of construction, equipments, heating, irrigation as well as cultivation systems were gathered for the first time for some SEE countries. These data make it possible to have a very detailed picture of the current situation regarding greenhouse and tunnel conditions in this area. Based on these data an analysis of the protected cultivation was carried out and recommendations are given. We hope that these recommendations will impact future governmental policy and serve as guidelines to initiate new research projects within this field in future workings.