Galery

1

Moreover, the possibility of creating a European mark that will mark all goods, which are recognized as products with protected designation of origin or with protected geographical indications is being explored too. It is proposed to advertise this sign all over the world, using the Anglo-Saxon system as a European trademark.

Mapping the sector

The largest category of certified Greek products consists of fruits, vegetables, nuts and pulses, including 31 products, followed by 29 different types of olive oil, 21 of cheese, 11 different varieties of olives and 9 more recognized products from other categories.

The majority of the products usually come from the mountains and even more remote areas of the country and have no easy access to a wide distribution network.

In 2012, various types of cheese held the largest share of locally manufactured products. In the same year, Greece produced 97,000 tons of cheese (65% of the total), 86,500 tons of which was feta cheese, followed by yellow cheese (3,000 tons), Graviera from Crete (1,700 tons) and others.

As for the other certified products, 9,700 tons of apples were produced in Zagora, Pilio area, 8,000 tons of peaches in Naoussa, 6,800 tons of apples in Kastoria, 5,500 tons of Corinthian raisins, 4,600 tons of kiwi in Pieria and 1,148 tons of traditional Cretan rusks.

The most famous certified Greek products in the world are feta cheese, yellow cheese, different types of olive oil, kalamon olives, caviar of Messolonghi, Chios masticha, cherry tomatoes of Santorini, Corinthian raisins, Cretan rusks and others.

At the end of 2013, the olive oil of Mesara and the cherry tomatoes of Santorini received a protected designation of origin and they are the last certified products. Furthermore, applications, which are awaiting approval from the European Commission, have been submitted for four additional products as follows: two types of olive oil of Methangitsi, Halkidiki and of Sitia, Crete, for products with protected designation of origin and sultanina raisins of Crete and the giant beans of Kastoria for protected geographical indication.