Company
BioNet West Hellas
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Gerasimos Karantinos
“Our organic kiwis are grown by small family farms in western Greece, with care for soil health and natural balance.”
Products
Organic kiwis
Country
Greece
Hi, I’m Gerasimos Karantinos, founder and president of BioNet West Hellas, an association of organic growers in western Greece. Together with 26 other growers, we cultivate organic kiwis, produced by small family farms that work in close cooperation under shared organic standards.
An association built on organic values
BioNet West Hellas was founded in the 1990s, when many growers in western Greece began searching for alternatives to chemical farming. Excessive pesticide use had caused serious harm to people, soils and water resources in the region. Through research, workshops and training, we helped growers transition to organic agriculture, leading to the creation of BioNet West Hellas as a structured growers’ association.
Small farms, strong cooperation
Most BioNet growers operate small farms of 5 to 25 hectares. Kiwi orchards are often family-owned and have been cultivated for generations, with varieties and practices adapted to local soils and micro-climates. Growers receive ongoing support from trained agronomists, ensuring organic practices are applied consistently and fruit quality remains high.
Ideal conditions for organic kiwis
Western Greece has a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters, combined with access to rivers, lakes and wetlands. These conditions are well suited to kiwi cultivation. Diverse soils and natural landscapes create resilient growing systems, while careful orchard management focuses on airflow, light and soil nutrition so the kiwi plants can thrive naturally.
Soil-centred organic farming
Organic kiwi growing at BioNet West Hellas starts with the soil. Instead of feeding the plants directly, growers enrich the soil using green manure crops, mulch and compost produced from natural materials such as plant residues and manure. This approach strengthens soil life and allows the kiwi plants to feed themselves through healthy root systems.
Quality, safety and trust
After harvest, the kiwis are handled with great care. No chemicals are applied post-harvest, and fruit is washed only with pure water. Packing and shipping are organised close to the growers, enabling efficient logistics and maintaining product quality from orchard to customer.
Our positive impact
Climate
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BioNet West Hellas growers farm organically, without chemical fertilisers or pesticides, reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
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Many member farms use renewable energy sources such as solar panels and small wind generators to meet part of their energy needs.
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Compost production and organic soil management contribute to carbon sequestration.
Water
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Kiwi orchards are irrigated using drip irrigation (“watering with drops”), minimising water waste.
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Organic farming prevents chemical runoff, helping to protect rivers, lakes and groundwater in western Greece.
Soil
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Soil fertility is built through green manure crops (such as tare and oat) that are mulched into the soil in spring.
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Centrally produced compost, made from discarded fruit, tree clippings and manure, is distributed to growers.
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The focus is on feeding the soil so that kiwi plants can feed themselves through healthy root systems.
Biodiversity
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Wild patches, islands of wild grasses and natural vegetation are maintained around orchards to support flora and fauna.
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Bees, beneficial insects, birds and grazing animals (such as sheep and chickens) are integrated into the farming system, supporting closed nutrient cycles.
Individual
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Most farm work is carried out by the growers themselves and their families.
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Seasonal workers involved in harvesting and packing are paid according to national labour laws.
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Organic farming reduces health risks linked to pesticide exposure, an issue that affected the region in the past.
Society
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BioNet West Hellas was founded to address environmental damage and health problems caused by chemical agriculture in the region.
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Through the “1 Cent for the Future” programme, every kilo of organic fruit sold supports young adults with special needs in Greece.
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Education and awareness about organic farming are shared with both growers and the wider local population.
Economy
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BioNet West Hellas is an association of small-scale growers (5–25 hectares), many of whom converted to organic farming in the 1990s.
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Centralised packing and shipping facilities near the port of Patra improve logistics and export efficiency for organic kiwis.
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Organic kiwi exports provide stable income and long-term market access for member growers.
Greetings from our farm!
Location
Western Greece — where BioNet West Hellas grows organic kiwis on small family farms in a Mediterranean landscape.
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