Interview by Panos Katsachnias, Meat Place, February 2022 issue
Nikolaos and Panagiota Aggelakis founded a small family business in 1962, in Chalkida, Euboea. With dedication and passion, this company gradually evolved into a vertically integrated poultry production unit.
Since 1992, it has operated a state-of-the-art facility in the area of Pournos in Euboea, serving as a steady pillar of both regional development and support for the national economy. Today, Aggelakis S.A. holds a leading position in the poultry farming sector, employing more than 200 people directly and supporting indirectly hundreds more across the supply chain.
The company is now led by the next generation, Thanos and Taxiarchis Aggelakis, continuing the unchanged philosophy of a traditional family business. The company’s constant goal is the development and creation of innovative products with respect for people.
The CEO of the company and President of the Greek Interprofessional Poultry Organization (EDOP), Thanos Aggelakis, reaffirms in his interview with Meat Place that he remains committed to his vision:
“Quality must never be sacrificed for quantity. Οur products must always stand out in taste, bearing no resemblance to standardized, uninspired goods.”
MEAT PLACE | You’ve been involved in the family business from a young age and have served as CEO since 1998. Tell us about the company’s journey and evolution over the years.
Thanos Aggelakis | Our vision to transform Aggelakis from a small, family-run poultry business into a state-of-the-art, fully integrated chicken production unit that would innovate on all levels existed even before 1998. Producing differentiated products of high quality and nutritional value with consistency and respect for the consumer, has always been our top priority. The journey to get here hasn’t been easy, but I can say that today we possess the distilled knowledge and experience to not only realize, but also expand upon, this vision.
MEAT PLACE | The poultry sector in Greece is one of the fastest-growing. What drives this momentum?
Thanos Aggelakis | Indeed, poultry farming is one of the most dynamic and active sectors of our primary production. First of all, the sector keeps up with developments and listens to the needs of Greek consumers on all levels. At the same time, it follows global trends and constantly invests in equipment and new technologies. As a result, the entire profile of the businesses and their human resources has changed dramatically. Greek poultry enterprises have now been fully upgraded and are comparable to world-class food industries.
MEAT PLACE | In your opinion, why is poultry consumption in Greece continuing to rise? Is it solely due to the low purchase cost?
Thanos Aggelakis | It is a fact that there is a long-standing relationship of trust between the Greek consumer and Greek poultry enterprises. Clearly, the very affordable price of chicken plays a role in the increase in consumption. However, the variety of chicken products now available on the market also contributes, offering easy solutions for everyday meals. Today, there is an abundance of products that allow for multiple preparations, quickly and easily, responding to the demand for convenience and limited time. And of course, chicken is one of the healthiest products, combining high protein content, low calories, and high nutritional value
MEAT PLACE | Which of your new products stand out in terms of consumer preference?
Thanos Aggelakis | Our recently launched products that have already gained the trust of consumers include our handmade, gluten-free stuffed chicken roll, the OliVchicken burger made with organic wholegrain oats, fresh vegetables, pure olive oil, and turmeric, as well as our exceptionally crispy and juicy breaded products (fillets, chicken nuggets, and meatballs) made from pure, fresh chicken. These new products have been embraced by Greek consumers thanks to their unique characteristics, excellent quality, and their ability to meet the today’s consumer demands. In international markets, what truly makes a difference is our OliVchicken, which is raised exclusively on 100% plant-based diet, enriched from pure olive oil and corn.
MEAT PLACE | How has the sharp increase in feed and energy prices affected your production and, ultimately, the price paid by consumers?
Thanos Aggelakis | Prices for all basic goods have been steadily increasing worldwide since the last quarter of 2020. In addition to the surge in feed and energy costs—two major cost centers—we have also seen significant increases across all our supply items. At the same time, we anticipate shortages in raw materials and packaging supplies in the coming period. As a result, the cost of chicken production has been heavily affected. The average cost of our products has risen by more than 30%. However, we have only passed on a small portion of this steep increase to our product prices—approximately 8% as of October.
MEAT PLACE | As President of EDOP, are you in communication with the Ministry of Rural Development for possible support?
Thanos Aggelakis | Yes, we’re in regular contact with Deputy Minister Mr. Simos Kedikoglou, who is responsible for livestock matters at the Ministry of Rural Development and Food. He is actively engaged in seeking solutions. We’ve submitted a formal proposal—also sent to the Prime Minister’s office and the Ministries of Rural Development and Environment & Energy—requesting a subsidy to cover increased energy costs, which appears to be under consideration. In parallel, we’re working with Mr. Kedikoglou and Deputy Minister Mr. Georgios Stylios on a support framework to address rising feed prices.
MEAT PLACE | As president of the Greek Interprofessional Poultry Organization (EDOP), are you in open communication with the Ministry of Rural Development and Food to find solutions? What needs to be done?
Thanos Aggelakis | Yes, we are in frequent contact with Deputy Minister Simos Kedikoglou, who is responsible for the livestock sector at the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, and he is actively and energetically involved in finding solutions. From the very beginning, we proposed, and formally submitted, a request to the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Rural Development, and the Ministry of Environment and Energy, for a subsidy to offset the increased energy costs—which appears to have been heard. Additionally, we are now working with Mr. Kedikoglou and the other Deputy Minister, Giorgos Stylios, to develop a support framework to address the excessive rise in feed costs.
MEAT PLACE | Are you satisfied with your involvement in the “Working Group” for livestock facilities? What changes does the new law bring?
Thanos Aggelakis | It is extremely important that the poultry sector can now be officially represented through the Greek Interprofessional Poultry Organization (EDOP) and actively participate in decision-making processes that directly impact its sustainability.
We fully support the Ministry’s efforts and are eager to contribute as much as possible, recognizing that, for the first time, there is a genuine and meaningful intention to collaborate. However, although this is undeniably a productive process, more radical changes to the legislation could have been made. That said, I understand that a large part of the current—yet outdated—national legislation must be revised, and that requires time and persistence.
A major issue is the licensing of existing poultry and livestock facilities. It is imperative that this matter is resolved without delay. There needs to be a special provision for existing facilities that cannot be licensed under current legislation but are operating smoothly and without harming the environment. The main obstacle to their licensing lies in the distance requirements from other points of interest, according to Law 4056/2012—even when those points are of no health or environmental significance.
These facilities represent approximately 50% of the total number of poultry farming units. Without an immediate solution, the sector will face a serious economic decline. And that would be truly unfortunate, as this industry produces food of high biological value and is the only meat sector in Greece with a self-sufficiency rate of approximately 82%.
MEAT PLACE | How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected the poultry sector?
Thanos Aggelakis | The pandemic significantly impacted the food market, drastically shifting the balance between retail and food service. This crisis created new challenges and forced the Greek poultry sector into additional borrowing and financial strain.
MEAT PLACE | Is your company’s focus on exports a long-term strategy or a “necessary solution” to offset declining turnover?
Thanos Aggelakis | Extroversion must be a long-term strategy, as it is a process that requires careful planning and yields results over time. Of course, there are also companies that export their products out of necessity, just to offload surplus inventory into alternative markets. But in reality, that’s not what true extroversion means.
This crisis has shown that Greek businesses must invest in markets beyond Greece, and it has rewarded those that already had. At Aggelakis S.A., we’ve set the strategic goal of continuously expanding our presence internationally by developing innovative and differentiated products that respond to—or even anticipate—emerging nutritional trends. At the same time, EDOP is developing a plan to Greek chicken exports, , highlighting the superior quality of our national production.
MEAT PLACE | What is your investment plan for 2022?
Thanos Aggelakis | In 2021, we completed investments totaling €1.8 million, which included new mechanical equipment, digital transformation initiatives, and fleet renewal. In 2022, we launched the implementation of a new five-year investment plan worth €20 million, covering the entire scope of Aggelakis’ operations—from hatchery to distribution at the point of sale. At the same time, we are exploring opportunities to further expand our activities through additional vertical integration. Finally, the investment plan also includes projects related to the use of green energy sources and reducing the company’s environmental footprint.
MEAT PLACE | Are you concerned that the rise in the cost of living, combined with stagnant wages, will lead to reduced consumption in the coming year? If so, to what extent and how quickly?
Thanos Aggelakis | This is indeed a real concern. The extent and speed at which this may happen will depend both on how the pandemic evolves and on how swiftly the government responds with support measures for Greek citizens.
MEAT PLACE | Tell us a bit about the creation of your company’s logo and your collaboration with the late Alekos Fassianos?
Thanos Aggelakis | My images and memories of Greek poultry go back to the 1980s, a time when even the word “poultryman” carried a somewhat negative connotation. Yet I always believed that poultry farming deserved a better image.
So when the opportunity arose to create a new logo for Aggelakis, my key criteria were:
- It should evoke positive emotions
- It should carry an element of surprise (who would expect one of Greece’s greatest painters to design a logo of a poultry company?)
- It should reflect nature’s colors.
It was a great honor for us at Aggelakis that Alekos Fassianos agreed to design our new logo. He believed that art should be part of our everyday lives. And what is more everyday than the food we bring into our homes and place on our tables?
Beyond our professional collaboration, this became the beginning of a deep and meaningful friendship. I feel truly fortunate to have known him. His wisdom, kindness, greatness of spirit, and simplicity will always stay with me.
The logo he created for our company—reflecting the triad of People – Nature – Environment—will continue to embody our philosophy and vision for the future. Alekos Fassianos will live forever in our hearts and minds.
