Illustrated map of Greece marking the Peloponnese and Crete as principal olive-oil sourcing regions

Buyer Guides

Greek food sourcing, explained for buyers.

Reference material for procurement teams: olive varieties and grades, PDO and PGI rules, harvest calendars, cheese and yoghurt specifications, private label, Incoterms and export documentation. Written from our own sourcing work and kept current.

Varieties & Origin

Editorial flat lay of nine distinct Greek olive varieties in rustic bowls on aged olive wood

Varieties & Origin · 12 min

Greek Olive Varieties, A Buyer's Guide

Greece grows more than a hundred and fifty documented olive varieties, but only a handful drive international trade. This reference explains the varieties that matter for importers, distributors and retailers, from oil-producing Koroneiki to the table-olive icons of Kalamon and Halkidiki. For every variety we list region, PDO or PGI status where applicable, harvest window, culinary use, taste profile and typical export markets.

Certifications

Editorial photograph of certification documents beside a wax-sealed bottle of Greek olive oil and feta wrapped in muslin

Certifications · 9 min

PDO vs PGI vs Organic (BIO), Explained for Buyers

Three letters can add or destroy value on a shelf. This guide explains what PDO, PGI and Organic (BIO) legally mean under EU regulation, how a producer earns each mark, what documentation you should always request, and how the three interact with private-label projects.

Product Reference

Editorial photograph of a Greek olive harvest with hands picking green-purple olives beneath ancient trees

Product Reference · 8 min

Greek Olive Oil Harvest Calendar

The Greek olive oil year runs from early October to late January. Understanding when the fruit is picked, and where, is essential for planning first orders, holding freshness on the shelf, and defending premium claims like "early harvest" or "high polyphenol".

Editorial close-up of a block of Greek PDO feta in brine wrapped in muslin

Product Reference · 8 min

Feta PDO, Explained for Buyers

Feta is one of the most tightly protected food names in the European Union. This guide covers what qualifies as Feta, what does not, and the practical implications for import, retail and private-label programmes.

Editorial photograph of thick Greek strained yoghurt with honey and walnuts

Product Reference · 8 min

Greek Yoghurt, Explained for Buyers

Greek yoghurt is one of the most successful export categories in modern dairy. But not every product on shelves is genuinely Greek, and not every "Greek-style" yoghurt is strained. This guide clarifies the technical, commercial and regulatory ground for buyers.

Sourcing Models

Editorial flat lay showing bulk drum, blank packaging mockups and premium private-label bottle

Sourcing Models · 8 min

Bulk vs Private Label vs Co-Packing, A Decision Guide

The choice of sourcing model shapes everything downstream: MOQ, lead time, unit economics, packaging control and long-term brand equity. Here is how bulk, private label and co-packing compare in practice.

Logistics & Export

Editorial photograph of the Port of Piraeus at golden hour with stacked containers and a cargo vessel

Logistics & Export · 8 min

Incoterms for Greek Food Exports

Incoterms 2020 define exactly where responsibility for cost, risk and insurance transfers from seller to buyer. For Greek food exports the choice usually narrows to five options. Here is how they work in the field, with examples specific to shipments leaving Greek producers.

Editorial photograph of stacked export documents and wax-sealed envelopes on a walnut desk

Logistics & Export · 9 min

Export Documentation for Greek Food

A clean document pack keeps your shipment out of customs delays and your finance team happy. This guide explains each document a buyer of Greek food commonly receives, what it is for, and why it matters.

Ready to source?

Once you know what you want, we'll bring the right Greek producers to the table.

Contact theGreex