Olives are an integral part of the life of the Mediterranean people, a fact that is apparent both in everyday life and in local myths and traditions. The olive tree is considered to be a blessed tree because there is no part of it wasted: the fruit can be eaten directly or it can produce oil, the leaves are used for forage and the wood for firewood and for furniture manufacturing. Since ancient times the olive tree was a symbol of prosperity, peace, fertility and euphoria: for example the winners at the Olympic games were crowned with olive branches. It is estimated that 93% of the 800 million olive trees in the world today are cultivated in the Mediterranean countries with Greece having a significant share.

What is special about the olives of Halkidiki?

In the Halkidiki the olive is the main agricultural product. Its cultivation is based on age-long tradition and experience. Two major varieties are cultivated, the "kalamon" and the "bulky-olive". The most prevalent is the bulky-olive which is so well-adapted to the local climate that it is now called bulky-olive of Halkidiki. It is a variety used both for oil and for table olives. Its special feature, which is responsible for its good adaptation, is that it requires low temperatures in the middle of winter in order to fructify.

How large is the olive production in Halkidiki?

The cultivated areas amount to 210 million sq. m. (1/8 of Halkidiki), while the annual production of table olives is around 40,000 tons (which is about 50% of the country's production), from which approximately 10,000 tons are exported either abroad or in others parts of the country, and the rest is consumed within Halkidiki. In total there are 69 farms in the Halkidiki involved in olive products.

Olives produced in Halkidiki follows tradition in order to become edible, which involves a rather time-consuming and troublesome process, but the product is tasteful and of high quality. So, whatever type of olive you prefer, "lined", "cracked", "shrunk", "raisin-like", "Spanish type", with stone or stuffed, you’ll find them all in Halkidiki.