Exports from the Greek island of Crete nearly doubled to €295 million for the first six months of 2015 according to Alkiviadis Kalabokis, president of the Exporters’ Association of Crete. This is mainly due to increased olive oil exports which grew an even more dramatic 518 percent during the same period.
Kalabokis said that development was possible whereas the 2014 harvest season was much better than 2013 in terms of both quality and price.
The Association of Cretan Olive Municipalities (SEDIK) quoted Kalabokis as crediting the impressive rise in exports as “a decisive factor for the recovery of the local economy,” with “Crete once again emerging as one of the most dynamic export regions of Greece.” SEDIK noted that olive oil comprises 57 percent of the total value of exports from Crete.