New investments in food and drink – The six big players in the market –

Table of Contents

• 1 The loudest
• 2 No borrowing
• 3 New factory
• 4 Huge industry investment in research and development
• 5 **What⁣ specific policy changes or government initiatives are contributing to the ​surge in investment within‌ the ‍Greek food and beverage sector, and⁣ how are ‍these changes fostering a favorable environment for both domestic and‍ foreign investors?**

An amount that exceeds 1.44 billion investments in food and beverages, both from industry and from supermarkets, add up to EUR. The development plans, which have been implemented since this year and have a horizon of completion in some cases in the next two to three years, focus on production, digital transformation, energy autonomy, optimization of operating costs, innovation and the expansion of networks.

The loudest

Among the largest investment projects in the food and beverage industry stands out the expanded development program of the Continental Bottling Industry, known under the Vikos brand, amounting to 100 million. euros, which is progressing at a rapid pace, with a completion horizon of 2026. In fact, according to the Sepeta family, owner of the company, the needs have already been identified and planning has begun for the new investments that should be implemented after the summer of 2026.

Also important is the two-year investment plan of the Athenian Brewery, which foresees funds of 90 million. euros, of which 65 million euros concern purely productive investments, while an amount of 25-30 million euros is directed to packaging materials. In the field of purely productive investments, the leader of the domestic beer market is developing an ambitious investment plan with a strategic orientation towards sustainable development. In this context, 50% of these funds concern “green” investments with a focus on three main pillars Environment – Society – Responsibility.

No borrowing

With investments of 50 million euros in the three-year period 2025-2027, Panagiotis Tsinavos is “building” the Kri Kri of 2030, whose turnover will reach half a billion. euros from 245 million euros at the end of 2024, based on revised management forecasts.

The investments will be covered by equity, since the dairy from “tas Serras” maintains – and will continue to maintain according to its main shareholder and management leader – zero debt, while it is estimated to grow at a double-digit growth rate. In fact, through the new investments, the production of yogurt and ice cream will be doubled “because the demand is great and the opportunities are important and you should always take advantage of the momentum”, as Mr. Tsinavos has mentioned.

The historic ION chocolate industry, with Bespoke SGA Holdings of Spyros Theodoropoulos as its main shareholder, is strengthening its production footprint methodically and without fanfare, looking to international markets. More specifically, in September 2025, the construction of the new ION wafer factory in Arta will be completed, an investment of 20 million. euro.

The new unit will operate alongside the existing ION factory in Arta, significantly increasing production capacity, while the goal is to develop new innovative products.

New factory

A new, modern production unit, the eighth in a row, has been added to its “palmare” by the Hellenic Dairies group of the brothers Dimitris and Michalis Sarantis, strengthening on the one hand the imperium it holds in the dairy sector and on the other hand its overall “footprint” as one of the strongest Greek food industries, with a turnover of over 650 million euros for this year.

The reason for the new halloumi production plant in Cyprus, an investment of 70 million euros, which is of strategic importance for the group under whose “umbrella” are leading brands, such as Olympos, Tyras, Rodopi, Agno, Doumbia and Kliafa. In fact, if AGNO’s sales volumes increase, the possibility will be considered to utilize the existing unit in Lagadas in Thessaloniki, which Deal in the works remains inactive for about 15 years.

Investment plan of 25-30 million euros for the next three years has been drawn up by Barba Stathis, a subsidiary of the Vivartia group. Among other things, it is planned to create a production unit in Larissa, in the facilities where the Froza company operated 30 years ago, which was absorbed by Barba Stathis. However, Vivartia’s shareholder, the American fund CVC, regarding the leader in frozen vegetables is discussing with Lambros Papakonstantinou’s Ideal Holdings for its sale. Once the deal is completed, it is up to the new shareholder to implement – ​​or not – the investments.

With an emphasis on sustainability and innovation, the Pindos Poultry Cooperative is launching an ambitious strategic investment plan of 45 million. euros for the period 2025-2030.

The new plan includes the expansion of the hatchery with 10,000,000 euros and the unit of ready-baked products with 7,000,000 euros, the strengthening of the means of transport, 3,000,000 euros and the digitization of 2,000,000 euros. At the same time, the creation of new poultry units, net metering facilities and the 2MW biogas unit for the production of renewable energy are planned.

At the same time, in organized retail, only the six biggest “players” of the market: Sklavenitis, Lidl, AB Vassilopoulos, Metro, Masoutis and ANEDHK Kritikos are launching investments that exceed 800 million. euro.

Huge industry investment in research and development

According to the IOBE study on the impact of the food and beverage industry on the country’s economy, the sector is one of the largest investors in Research and Development, with the annual investment of businesses representing 10.9% of the total expenditure of domestic manufacturing for R&D, top performance in Europe. In addition, the sector’s performance in innovation is also highlighted, with Greek food and beverage processing in 4th place at European level, together with countries such as Denmark, Estonia and Finland.

It should be noted that in 2023 a new increase in employment in the sector was recorded to 163 thousand. workers, rising 3.8% compared to 2022, versus a milder 1.2% increase in manufacturing as a whole. At the same time, exports of processed food and beverages exceeded 6.8 billion. euros in 2023, reaching the highest price in the last decade, while they constituted 13.4% of all goods exports from 11% in 2022. Processed fruits and vegetables led the way for their share (25.6%), followed by oils and fats (23.3%) and dairy products (19.6%). The main trading partner is Italy (19.8%), followed by Germany with 13.8% and the USA with 8.5%.