Mitrosilis, first Greek exporter with direct supplies to retail

Mitrosilis SA is a Greek exporter, active since 1976. The family business exports the fruit to 24 different European countries. The main products are citrus fruit, grapes and apricots. And in the near future, 2016, they will export kiwifruit too. Director of export Christos Mitrosilis tells: "We have invested time to really get to know the products and we’ve developed in recent years. The time is ripe to add the kiwi to our range." We grow part of the produce our self. "We produce about 500 metric tons of citrus fruit. 17,000 metric tons get exported every year. Therefore a large part of the produce comes from other farmers. We have good working relationship with these farmers, and they supply us with 80% of the fruit every year."

According to Christos one of the larger challenges is to convince retailers that the company is still in good shape, even during the crisis. "It is difficult to trade right now for a Greek company. We have to emphasize that, even during the crisis, we are financially sound and will deliver the products."

Direct to retail
Christos started working for the company when he was a teenager and he is the second generation working in the company. He noticed years ago that retailers wanted to work directly with the farmers and exporters. "I was lucky to notice this need and I’ve started quite early with direct delivery to supermarket chains." Mitrosilis was the first in Greece and one of the first exporters in Europe who exported directly to retailers. He admits that this caused the entire structure of the trade to change. "With all those middle men the communication was incomplete and the buyer couldn’t tell exactly what had happened with the product. Besides this it increased the price of the export. The best way for retailers to save money is to economize on unnecessary costs, i.e. the middle man."

Worldwide delivery
Right now it is really important for Greece to actively look for new markets outside of Europe according to Christos. "We have to deliver our products all over the world, that is the best way to grow as a country. We made contact with companies in Asia and the Far East and we will keep on doing that in the future. If we keep it up then our future is solid. Making your money with the export of fruit is not an easy way to make a living, but it challenging to solve new problems every day."

For more information:
Christos Mitrosilis
Mitrosilis SA
Agelena 5, Anifi 21 055 Nafplio, Hellas
Tel.: + 30 275 204 5000
Fax: + 30 275 204 3036
www.mitrosilis.gr
info@mitrosilis.gr