Rose-based products, like rose oil, rose water and rose petal spoon sweets, constantly gain ground in domestic and foreign markets creating favourable prospects for local producers in the Kozani prefecture region of Voio, in northwest Greece.
Importers from France and Cyprus have expressed strong interest. However, the increased demand is hard to be met because the local farm cooperative, active in the specific sector, was established only recently and therefore, production is still limited.
Rose farming was launched in the region in 2005 and the results observed after the four-year period necessary for the plants to reach flowering size are very encouraging, according to representatives of the Voio Farm Cooperative for Aromatic Plants and Produce, who plan to increase production and organize an up-to-date processing facility for all stages of production. They also announced that a rose-based cosmetics line is scheduled to be in the stores after February 2013.
This year's rose crop was larger than 6.5 tons and produced half a liter of double stilled rose oil, 1,600 liters of double distilled rose water and rose petal spoon sweets, the demand for which is high due to its nutritional value.
Rose oil is the essential oil extracted from rose petals and the most widely used in perfumery.
Rose water is the hydrosol portion of the distillate of rose petals. It is a by-product of the production of rose oil and is used to flavour food and as a component in some cosmetic and medical preparations. (AMNA)
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