\n<\/p>\n
Speaking at a ministry event dedicated to Greek PDO and PGI products, Schoinas highlighted the need for greater standardisation, added value, stronger protection in international markets and complete reliability throughout the production and trading chain.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, we have 283 PDO and PGI products, and I will close with the promise that we will have many more,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Schoinas said Greek products represent more than high-quality food. They also carry the country\u2019s historical and regional identity and act as ambassadors for Greece abroad.<\/p>\n
\u201cSaffron is Kozani, the green olive is Halkidiki, feta is livestock farming,\u201d he said, highlighting the international recognition Greek products have achieved.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose who know Antetokounmpo know feta\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Schoinas drew a direct comparison between Greece\u2019s food exports and the global profile of Greek basketball star Giannis Antetokounmpo.<\/p>\n \u201cThose who know Antetokounmpo know feta too,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n He recalled that while living in Brussels, people who had never visited Kalamata would talk to him about Kalamata olives, while others who had never visited Kozani would use Greek saffron in paella.<\/p>\n Four priorities for Greek products<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Schoinas identified four priorities for strengthening Greek PDO and PGI products in international markets: standardisation, added value, protection and reliability.<\/p>\n On standardisation, he argued that Greece must move away from selling products in bulk and informal packaging.<\/p>\n \u201cGreece of the tin and bulk products is not compatible with the Greece of PDOs,\u201d he said, calling for a collective effort involving producers and industry.<\/p>\n On added value, Schoinas said exports should carry more than the product itself.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen they leave Greece, they must carry with them a narrative, a story, a connection,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n He argued that Greek production should generate significantly greater value from exported goods, noting that a kilogram of feta selling for \u20ac20 in Europe should create substantially more value around the Greek product.<\/p>\n Schoinas also stressed the need to protect Greek PDO and PGI products from imitations and unfair competition through European Union trade agreements with third countries.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will not abandon the issue of protection. We will pursue it everywhere,\u201d he said, describing the protection of Greek products in international markets as a \u201cnational duty\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cNo Greekwashing, no imitations\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Schoinas placed particular emphasis on reliability and compliance throughout the production and trading chain.<\/p>\n \u201cWe need to be by the book throughout the entire production and trading chain,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n He warned against practices that could undermine the reputation of PDO and PGI products.<\/p>\n \u201cNo Greekwashing, no imitations, no back doors, no profiteers. None of this belongs at this table,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Schoinas linked PDO and PGI products to the outward orientation of the Greek economy, describing them as one of the key ways Greece can strengthen its international presence.<\/p>\n He said he had spent his career working towards \u201can outward-looking Greece that looks outside, not at its own navel\u201d.<\/p>\n The Thessaloniki event brought together producers, processors, hospitality professionals and consumers to highlight the value of Greek PDO and PGI products and their contribution to Greek production, regional identity and the country\u2019s international profile.<\/p>\n