A multifaceted conference addressing a series of current issues concerning the sector of exportable food products was organized by the Panhellenic Exporters Association (PSE) within the framework of the FOOD EXPO exhibition.
The conference, moderated by journalist Mr. Dimitris Christoulias (ANT1–Realnews–Foodlife), was opened with a greeting by the Minister of Rural Development & Food, Mr. Kostas Tsiaras, who highlighted the importance of exports in agri‑food products and emphasized that the State “is committed to a stable and long‑term strategic plan for the productive sector.”
The first session examined the trajectory of Greek exports over the past five years (2020–2025), with an outlook toward the challenges of 2030. Speaker Mr. Alkiviadis Kalampokis, President of the Panhellenic Exporters Association, spoke about the significant increase in exports as a percentage of GDP and noted that the goal for 2030 is both to increase the number of PDO products and to ensure that exports rely on high‑quality networks, because, as he said, “consistency in quality—not only of the product but of the entire delivery process—is now the only way forward.”
Following this thorough introduction, the panel discussions began. The first panel, titled “Financing Tools, Insurance and Risk in Agri‑Food Exports,” featured Mr. Thodoris Vourdolis (President, Export Credit Greece), Mr. Lefteris Vlachogiannis (Head of Transaction Banking–AGM), Mr. Manolis Koutelias (Head of Investment Projects Department, Noisis), and Mr. Giorgos Stamnos (Network Development Director, Goldair Cargo). The discussion focused on the problems exporters face due to geopolitical turbulence and the ways these challenges can be addressed. Mr. Vourdolis spoke about the “importance of insuring invoices, risks, and production so that exporters are protected.” Mr. Vlachogiannis referred to the dual role of banks today: on one hand as financing tools for exporters, and on the other as advisory units on where and how to export. Mr. Koutelias listed and analyzed all the co‑financing programs currently open from the Ministry of Development, while Mr. Stamnos emphasized the importance of proper distribution and transportation networks to strengthen the brand name of exportable products.
A discussion followed on “The Export Challenge of Agri‑Food Until 2030,” with participants Mr. Kostas Zoukas (President, PEMETE), Mr. Christos Apostolopoulos (President, SEVGAP), Mr. Manolis Karpadakis (Olive Oil Expert & Value Chain Specialist), and Mr. Christos Kolios (President, National Interprofessional Organization of Kiwi).
All the presentations here focused on successful sectoral case studies, with table olives having doubled their exports over the last 10 years and the 56 members of PEMETE controlling 86% of domestic production and almost all exports. From SEVGAP’s side, impressive statistics were presented: “feta cheese has achieved a 300% increase in exports in 10 years, and yogurt alone has increased its exports by 270% in just the last 4 years,” emphasizing that primary production must be supported by the state in order for there to be an exportable product. Regarding olive oil, Mr. Karpadakis provided noteworthy data, pointing out, however, that the market must focus on standardization in order to increase the share of exports of standardized olive oil, which carries certifications and builds international branding. The final case study concerned kiwifruit, which produces 350,000 tons annually, exports 90% of that volume, and makes Greece the second‑largest producing country worldwide.
In the next panel on “Processing and Added Value / From Product to Brand,” the participants were Mr. Alkiviadis Kalampokis, President of PSE, Mr. Giorgos Braïmis, Senior Investment Partner at SMERemediumCap, and Mr. Aris Kefalogiannis, CEO of Creat Food. Mr. Braïmis described Greek exporters as “heroes,” spoke about a fluid environment due to geopolitical changes, and advised everyone to focus on the traditional trade flows that continue despite geopolitical challenges. Mr. Kefalogiannis spoke about the value of the brand and the story behind it, highlighting the enormous opportunity to promote Greek–Mediterranean products in Western markets, especially in the U.S., given the new dietary model that promotes wellness and environmental awareness. Mr. Kalampokis agreed, stressing that the opportunities for distributing Greek products in the U.S. are enormous despite tariffs and current difficulties.
This was followed by a speech by Mr. Kostas Mastoras, President of Optima Foods, who focused on the role of the Greek diaspora in the development of Greek agri‑food products. As he explained, gradually from World War I onward, with the presence of Greek communities in the U.S., export trade developed as a natural need, leading to today, when in U.S. hall foods one can find up to 50 PDO product codes. He spoke about the issue of tariffs, proposing as a solution the supply of Greek products in smaller packaging sizes so that they are more marketable.
The final panel of the very interesting conference concerned “The Role of Economic Diplomacy in the Development of Agri‑Food Exports,” with participants Mr. Giorgos Tosounis, Economic & Commercial Affairs Counselor A’, Director of the B1 Directorate for Extroversion Strategy & Coordination of Extroversion Bodies, and Mr. Spyridon Dakoglou, Economic & Commercial Affairs Counselor A’, Director of the B6 Directorate of Multilateral Economic Relations & Trade Policy. There, the importance of commercial and economic affairs offices in more than 60 countries around the world was analyzed, as well as how economic diplomats promote the interests of Greek producers in bilateral or multilateral trade agreements. The speakers also advised Greek exporters to continue supporting their networks as they have built them and to open new ones in countries such as India, the Mercosur network, etc.
The closing of the conference was undertaken by Mr. Kalampokis, summarizing the following: “Greek agri‑food exports have shown that they can deliver strong numbers and good practices. What we need is substantial support for production from the state so that we can continue to exist and grow.”
