Kyriakos Mamidakis, Award-Winning Olive Oil Producer, Dies
Mamidakis ran a large oil and gas company and produced an award-winning olive oil on his family's Estate on Crete.
Kyriakos MamidakisA Greek businessman who ran a large oil and gas shipping company and produced an award-winning olive oil on his family’s farm on Crete has died, his death ruled a suicide, according to reports.
Kyriakos Mamidakis, 84, was chairman of Mamidoil-Jetoil, a fuel transporter that operates around 600 gas stations in Greece, according to the Associated Press (AP).
The Mamidakis family produces Anoskeli olive oil, a Silver Award winner at the 2013 New York International Olive Oil Competition.
Mamidakis founded the Anoskeli Agricultural Company in 1983, named after his birthplace, a small village near Chania, Crete where his family produces Anoskeli olive oil and wine under the name “Ano Playa.”
According to the company’s website, the estate includes its own “state of the art olive oil plant and a boutique winery as well as privately-owned olive groves of 122,333 square meters with 2,888 olive trees and 17,000 square meters of vineyards.”
Mamidoil-Jetoil filed for bankruptcy on June 9, the AP reported, having owed creditors €314 million ($350 million) at the end of 2015, with cash reserves of 600,000 ($668,000).
Related Articles
Jun. 10, 2024
Farmers in Greece Witness the Impacts of Climate Change After Historically Low Harvest
Farmers and millers throughout Greece have reported that climate change is making it increasingly difficult to produce award-winning extra virgin olive oil.
Jul. 20, 2024
Award-Winning Producer Promotes Rhodes as An Olive Oil Destination
Greece’s fourth-largest island is a well-known tourist destination. Consistently winning quality awards is helping Natura Rodos raise its profile as an olive oil producer.
Feb. 7, 2025
Why Olive Oil Prices in Greece Aren't Falling
Producers blame middlemen for stubbornly high prices.
Apr. 9, 2024
The Farm-to-Table Restaurant Bringing the Cretan Diet Back in Vogue
The owner and managers of Peskesi are working to reintroduce the Cretan diet to locals and tourists alike.
Jul. 1, 2024
Three Beloved Greek Dishes to Try This Summer
Fresh, seasonal ingredients are combined with the year’s extra virgin olive oil to create some of the most delicious summer dishes of Greek cuisine.
Sep. 5, 2024
Groves Need Rain Ahead of Harvest in Greece
With most groves in Greece entering an ‘on-year’ in their alternate bearing cycle, ample autumn rains could yield a 300,000-ton harvest, some officials say.
Nov. 7, 2024
Harvest in Greece Runs Into Early Problems
The ongoing drought battering southern Greece threatens to reduce this year's expected olive oil yield of around 240,000 tons.
Jun. 12, 2024
Record Olive Oil Prices Drive Food Inflation in Greece
A study from the National Bank of Greece found that record olive oil prices were responsible for almost 50 percent of the increase in total food inflation.