What is the difference between Classic Jam, Extra Jam and Fruit Preserve?

Under EU Directive 2001/113, standard jam contains at least 35 g of fruit per 100 g, while 'Extra Jam' requires at least 45 g per 100 g and does not permit mixing certain fruits. Our Extra range typically hits 50–55 g per 100 g, and fruit preserves contain visible whole or halved fruit pieces.

How do your no-sugar-added and stevia jams differ from diet jams?

'No sugar added' jams contain only the fruit's own sugars, sweetened optionally with fruit juice concentrate. Stevia jams are sweetened with steviol glycosides (EU E960) for around 30% fewer calories than classic. Neither range uses aspartame, acesulfame K or high-fructose corn syrup.

Which jar sizes are available for classic and Extra jams?

Retail glass jars 30 g portion pots, 45 g HoReCa portions, 220 g, 240 g, 370 g and 450 g. HoReCa bulk 5 kg tinplate for bakery and pastry. Portion pots are available in trays of 100 for hotel breakfast service.

Do your organic jams carry EU BIO certification with each shipment?

Yes. Every organic (BIO) shipment ships with a control-body transaction certificate naming the producer, the tonnage and the lot numbers. USDA NOP equivalency and JAS certification are available for specific producers on request.

Is fruit sourced only from Greece or from other Mediterranean origins?

Peach, apricot, plum, cherry, sour cherry, orange, mandarin, bergamot, fig and strawberry are Greek origin. Blood orange, Seville orange, lemon and grapefruit are Mediterranean origin including Greece, Italy and Spain, sourced on quality and colour rather than nationality alone. Origin per SKU is disclosed on the spec.

How does fruit seasonality affect availability of specific jams?

Peaches and apricots are produced from July to September, cherries in June and July, citrus from December to March, figs in August and September. Because we produce and store the annual crop, jams are available year-round; only very small-batch Special Editions (prickly pear, goji) run on limited windows.

What is the 'Choco Jam' category and where does it sit in the market?

Choco Jams (choco-orange, choco-banana, choco-cherry, choco-strawberry) combine fruit with cocoa for a spreadable positioned between classic jam and hazelnut spread. They target premium breakfast, patisserie topping and gift retail. Fat content is markedly lower than hazelnut spreads.

What is the minimum private-label run for a jam SKU?

Standard private-label MOQ is one production batch, typically 2,500 to 5,000 units per 370 g SKU depending on the producer's line. Portion pots run from 30,000 units. Recipe changes (fruit percentage, sugar type) can add 3–5 weeks to first delivery.

Are your jams halal, kosher and suitable for vegetarians and vegans?

All standard jam recipes are vegan by default (no gelatine, no animal-origin ingredients). Halal certification is available on selected producers for GCC retail. Kosher-certified productions are scheduled per project with the certifying rabbi.

14 July 2026 · 9 min read

Sourcing Greek Jams: a buyer's guide from theGreex

Classic, Extra, Organic, No-Sugar, Stevia and Choco jams. A practical, category-deep guide to sourcing greek jams from Greek producers: origin, production, certifications, packaging, applications and buyer tips.

Traditional Greek spoon sweets of sour cherry, quince and bergamot in small glass jars with a silver spoon and fresh fruit.

Overview

Greek jams and fruit preserves lean heavily on Mediterranean fruit that other origins struggle to match at the same intensity: sour cherry, quince, bitter orange, fig, apricot, bergamot. The category is a natural fit for gourmet retail, gifting and hotel breakfast programmes.

For a buyer, the interesting differentiation is between traditional 'spoon sweets' (glyko tou koutaliou) and modern spreadable jams with reduced sugar and clean labels.

History

Spoon sweets, whole fruit preserved in syrup, are a cornerstone of Greek hospitality: a small plate offered to visitors alongside cold water and coffee. The tradition is centuries old and remains commercially relevant, particularly for premium and gifting formats.

Origin

Sour cherry from Thessaly and central Greece, bergamot and bitter orange from the north and Ionian islands, fig from Kymi and the Peloponnese, quince from continental orchards. Each fruit region shapes the final preserve profile.

Production

Traditional slow open-pan cooking for spoon sweets protects fruit integrity. Modern spreadable jams are built around fruit content, pectin balance and reduced-sugar recipes for European and Middle Eastern markets that increasingly demand lower sugar.

Varieties and signature products

Authentic Classic Jams: Strawberry, Peach, Apricot, Plum & Peach, and more. Extra Jam (High Fruit %): Strawberry, Apricot, Peach, Orange. Organic Jams: Strawberry, Apricot, Peach, Orange, and more. No Sugar & Stevia: No Sugar: Peach, No Sugar: Cherry & Sour Cherry, No Sugar: Strawberry, No Sugar: Apricot, and more. Choco Jam & Special Edition: Choco Orange, Choco Banana, Choco Cherry & Sour Cherry, Choco Strawberry, and more.

Certifications

Depending on the sub-range we work with producers holding IFS, BRCGS, ISO 22000 and FSSC 22000 food-safety certifications, alongside PDO, PGI, Organic (BIO) and Halal / Kosher where relevant to your greek jams programme. Certificates and specification sheets are shared before order confirmation, not after.

Packaging formats

Retail formats: jars, tins, cups or pouches sized for supermarket and specialty shelves · Foodservice formats: catering pails, larger jars and vacuum packs · Bulk options where applicable, from drums to IBCs · Private-label packaging and artwork coordinated with the producer

Retail

Consumer-ready greek jams in shelf-ready formats: glass jars, PET, tins, cups or vacuum packs depending on the sub-range. Suitable for supermarkets, delis, specialty grocers and gourmet gift channels across Europe, the UK, the GCC and beyond.

Foodservice (HoReCa)

Chef-grade greek jams in catering formats for hotels, restaurants, caterers and central kitchens. Balanced flavour profiles, consistent supply and specification sheets that make menu planning straightforward.

Bulk

Bulk greek jams for repackers, blenders, industrial users and downstream processors. Tank, drum, IBC and food-grade bag-in-box options where available, with certificates of analysis and traceability to the producer.

Private Label

Full private-label programmes for greek jams: recipe fine-tuning, packaging artwork coordination, label compliance for EU, UK, GCC and other target markets, plus MOQs that work for growing brands rather than only for the largest importers.

Export information

We export greek jams from Greece to buyers across the EU, the United Kingdom, the GCC (Saudi Arabia, UAE and neighbours), with active projects in Japan and North America. Shipments run ex works, FCA, FOB or CIF according to your Incoterms preference, consolidated with other Greek products where a full container is not yet on the table.

Buyer tips

Look at fruit content per 100 g first, then at sugar and sweetener choices. For spoon sweets, packaging matters, glass jars with a decorative lid drive gifting value. For hotel breakfast, ask about single-serve portion formats and their shelf-life economics.

Related products in our range

Signature greek jams lines currently on our offer include Strawberry, Peach, Apricot, Plum & Peach, Orange, Seville Orange. Each has its own dedicated sourcing page with production notes, packaging options and FAQs.

Frequently asked

Buyer questions we hear most often

What is the difference between Classic Jam, Extra Jam and Fruit Preserve?: Under EU Directive 2001/113, standard jam contains at least 35 g of fruit per 100 g, while 'Extra Jam' requires at least 45 g per 100 g and does not permit mixing certain fruits. Our Extra range typically hits 50–55 g per 100 g, and fruit preserves contain visible whole or halved fruit pieces.
How do your no-sugar-added and stevia jams differ from diet jams?: 'No sugar added' jams contain only the fruit's own sugars, sweetened optionally with fruit juice concentrate. Stevia jams are sweetened with steviol glycosides (EU E960) for around 30% fewer calories than classic. Neither range uses aspartame, acesulfame K or high-fructose corn syrup.
Which jar sizes are available for classic and Extra jams?: Retail glass jars 30 g portion pots, 45 g HoReCa portions, 220 g, 240 g, 370 g and 450 g. HoReCa bulk 5 kg tinplate for bakery and pastry. Portion pots are available in trays of 100 for hotel breakfast service.
Do your organic jams carry EU BIO certification with each shipment?: Yes. Every organic (BIO) shipment ships with a control-body transaction certificate naming the producer, the tonnage and the lot numbers. USDA NOP equivalency and JAS certification are available for specific producers on request.
Is fruit sourced only from Greece or from other Mediterranean origins?: Peach, apricot, plum, cherry, sour cherry, orange, mandarin, bergamot, fig and strawberry are Greek origin. Blood orange, Seville orange, lemon and grapefruit are Mediterranean origin including Greece, Italy and Spain, sourced on quality and colour rather than nationality alone. Origin per SKU is disclosed on the spec.
How does fruit seasonality affect availability of specific jams?: Peaches and apricots are produced from July to September, cherries in June and July, citrus from December to March, figs in August and September. Because we produce and store the annual crop, jams are available year-round; only very small-batch Special Editions (prickly pear, goji) run on limited windows.
What is the 'Choco Jam' category and where does it sit in the market?: Choco Jams (choco-orange, choco-banana, choco-cherry, choco-strawberry) combine fruit with cocoa for a spreadable positioned between classic jam and hazelnut spread. They target premium breakfast, patisserie topping and gift retail. Fat content is markedly lower than hazelnut spreads.
What is the minimum private-label run for a jam SKU?: Standard private-label MOQ is one production batch, typically 2,500 to 5,000 units per 370 g SKU depending on the producer's line. Portion pots run from 30,000 units. Recipe changes (fruit percentage, sugar type) can add 3–5 weeks to first delivery.
Are your jams halal, kosher and suitable for vegetarians and vegans?: All standard jam recipes are vegan by default (no gelatine, no animal-origin ingredients). Halal certification is available on selected producers for GCC retail. Kosher-certified productions are scheduled per project with the certifying rabbi.

Explore the range

Related products in Greek Jams

See all Greek Jams →Request a quotation

Sourcing stories

Related case studies

Keep reading

Freshly milled Greek extra virgin olive oil pouring in a warm honey stream from a stone mill, olive branches in soft focus.

Sourcing Greek Olive Oil: a buyer's guide from theGreex

Liquid gold from Greek groves. PDO and PGI selections. A practical, category-deep guide to sourcing greek olive oil from Greek producers: origin, production, certifications, packaging, applications and buyer tips.

Deep purple Kalamata table olives glistening in extra virgin olive oil with fresh oregano and lemon zest on rustic linen.

Sourcing Greek Table Olives: a buyer's guide from theGreex

Kalamata, Halkidiki, Amfissa. The finest Greek varieties. A practical, category-deep guide to sourcing greek table olives from Greek producers: origin, production, certifications, packaging, applications and buyer tips.

Wheels of aged Greek Graviera cheese and a block of PDO Feta on wooden boards with fresh thyme and honeycomb.

Sourcing Greek Cheese: a buyer's guide from theGreex

From PDO Feta to aged Graviera. The finest of Greek dairy. A practical, category-deep guide to sourcing greek cheese from Greek producers: origin, production, certifications, packaging, applications and buyer tips.