DOEPEL was founded to represent a sector of Greece’s rural economy which we can be truly proud of no matter where we are in the world. In fact, from the start of the 20th century, Greek table olives have almost entirely been produced for export. Around 85% of domestic production, which translates into 185,000 tons approximately, is exported to more than 100 countries each year, increasing Greece’s GDP by around € 450+ million.
Anyone involved in any stage of producing table olives, from growers of table olives who have come together in cooperatives and growers associations from all regions of the country where table olives are grown, to almost all processing, packaging and trading companies (who sell and export olives) jointly decided that our interests needed to be represented under the umbrella of the Interprofessional Table Olives Organisation.
The move to set up a national organisation, with wide-ranging competences, which could represent the sector in an effective, balanced manner, is a key requirement in defending the interests of an export product that is of strategic importance for the national economy, and in bolstering its position in international markets. To achieve our objectives, the active, effective involvement of us all is needed.
Good luck!
Dr. Georgios Doutsias,
President of DOEPEL