Our Cooperative is evolving and sharing with friends the results of unison. Of the historical legacy of our land.
A cooperative is basically a business of a strong social character, which, in order to succeed, requires a main component. Solidarity. The Agricultural Cooperative of Zakros, is more than an association of olive growers for the better production, management and trade of the Extra Virgin Olive Oil of our region. It is our very land. It’s who we are.
Olive growing in Zakros has kept on for millennia, dating back to our Minoan ancestors. The Minoans would use Zakros as the administrative center and base of their legendary merchant fleet. Olive oil was one of their main goods exported throughout the Mediterranean and the olive tree was a source of prosperity. A whole civilization was developed around this sacred tree.
The modern people of Zakros took care of the native olive trees and planted new ones. Isolated as they were, without benefits and state aid in the difficult years of wars and national reconstruction, they decided to take initiatives regarding their maintenance, in almost all their common matters.
They established the Agricultural Cooperative at the beginning of the 20th century, its official operation being recorded since 1936. From that time until today, almost a century later, their care, along with the response of nature, helped them to strengthen the constant generating capacity of the land of Zakros.
From its very establishment, our Cooperative has interacted with the residents and actively participated in every need of the community, such as power generation and the ensuring of financing for agricultural works. The same solidarity that has helped this place, characterizes our entrepreneurial activity.
The producers started by grinding the olive fruits with millstones, moved on to small horse – drawn factories and finally set up their own olive mill. Today, they apply common milling in one of the most modern Greek three – phase oil mills, with storage facilities, a packaging facility and certified safety and quality control procedures.
They have met all modern requirements. They grow olive trees in a sustainable way, implementing non-invasive methods. With respect to nature, they apply many of the practices of organic farming and take advantage of the great microclimate and the excellent quality water of natural springs. How we cultivate
Olive Oil Politeia: The large number of producers and their dedicated specialization in olive cultivation have made Zakros into an Olive Oil Politeia (State of Olive Oil), a community of constant evolution in know – how, equipment and processes, exchange of views and cooperation.
It is no small responsibility to produce Sitia Lasithiou Kritis P.D.O. extra virgin olive oil. Zakros lives up to its reputation as one of the largest producer cooperatives in the region of Sitia, bearing the signature of unique aromas in the delicate olive oil of its valley full of olive trees.
Having achieved its first goal of good cooperation and continuous self-improvement, the Agricultural Cooperative of Zakros now takes its next step, upgrading its equipment and quality control procedures, conducting market research and expansion, products and services research and development. The Cooperative of Zakros utilizes modern means of communication to renew its identity and digital presence, open its gates to the world and communicate with friends of olive oil. Olive Oil Politeia invites all friends, in Greece and abroad, to get to know the Extra Virgin Olive Oil of Zakros and enjoy a nutritious food, an ally to human health and co-creator of irresistible cooking!
In Greece we know that well. Olive oil is not just food. It is a culture of light. A Historic Good!
Olive Oil Politeia seeks to holistically highlight this very relationship with the land, man and the olive tree, which extends beyond the boundaries of a professional activity and is connected with our personal history. To care for one’s body and mind, love nature, evolve, feel the joy of belonging, these are values that originated with the Minoan civilization, to continue throughout the Classical era and down to this day. An ancient world comes to life, with a philosophy that offers key responses to current human needs.
Therefore, this land has not just gone down in history as the administrative and commercial center of the Minoan fleet 4.000 years ago, but lives on today. It produces our very own ideal value, olive oil, an infinitely flowing Historic Good.
Today, we share this good, along with the beauty of the creation of human unison in Zakros, with all our friends. Olive Oil Politeia opens its gates.
