Ask the Expert - Greek Sugar

History of the Greek Sugar Industry

In 1842 the first sugar plant is founded near the village Kaenourgio of Locris, following the contract signed in 1839 by the Greek state with a Franch-Belgian company. However, the company went bankrupt and the effort was abandoned.

In 1892 another effort was set up known as, THE SUGAR HOUSE HRISTAKI B. ZOGRAFOU at Lazarina, Thessaly. It orerated from 1894 up to 1909 and the total output of sugar approximated 8.000 tons. The harsh competion of foreign sugar and the failure in fighting the pests of the beets were the main reasons that led sugar plant to closure.

In 1960 the Hellenic Sugar Industry SA, was founded with its seat in Thessaloniki. In 1961 it operated the first factory in Larisa, in 1962 at Plati, in 1963 at Serres. The capacity in beet procesing of the first 3 factories was 2000 tons per 24 hour. In 1972 operated the fourth factory in Xanthi and in 1975 the fifth factory in Orestias with a capacity of 3.000 tons of beets per 24 hour each.

Today's capacity of the factories after step-by-step extentions and improvements are:

Larisa 7.000 tons
Plati 8.500 tons
Serres 5.000 tons
Xanthi 6.000 tons
Orestias 6.000 tons
Total of capacity 32.500 tons.

The total annual output of sugar of the five H.S.I. factories is 320.000 tons approx. quite enough to cover the needs of the country in sugar.

The factories are processing beets from mid August to the end of November (100 days of campaign approx.) all 24 hour without interruption.

For additional Information http://www.ebz.gr/nutrition_en.htm on Greece's sugar industry.

Thanks for your question.

Ask the Expert

Malista!