Theft of olive oil in Halkidiki: Mystery of how the robbers got in – Producers are fuming

The damage from the theft of olive oil reported by the Agricultural Cooperative of Olive Production in Polygyros, in Halkidiki, on the morning of Tuesday, October 3, is estimated at more than 370,000 euros.

According to the local cooperative, it is unknown how the robbers broke into the facilities – warehouses of the producers, who are in a state of despair and anger.

About 200 people are members of the Olive Farming Cooperative in Polygyros, according to the MEGA channel report.

They are suing

The members of the local cooperative proceeded with a lawsuit denouncing the incident, while late on Tuesday afternoon, people from its Board of Directors were called to testify to the Police about the incident, so that the perpetrators could be identified.

In fact, they invited police to examine the cameras in the area so that they can be identified immediately.

The Polygyro Security Department, which has taken over the case, is examining all possibilities regarding the case and the manner in which the theft took place. It has not yet been clarified how the 37 tons of oil, which the producers are complaining about, were removed.

Oil like… gold

Olive oil has become a luxury item as its price has been rising steeply in recent times. Consumers will be faced with an unprecedented reality as the price of olive oil continues to rise and the forecast is ominous. According to the first estimates, it is not excluded that it will even reach 15 euros per liter.

Already, extra virgin olive oil is sold from 7.50 euros per liter (private label) up to 13 euros per liter (brand name). Olive oil prices are soaring to new record highs as severe droughts in major producing countries limit supplies.

It is worth noting that in many areas, such as in Heraklion, the producers are considering the solution of security in the olive groves and microchips in the olives themselves.

As characteristically stated, speaking to ERT channel, the president of the Association of Olive Growers of the prefecture of Heraklion, Vangelis Protogerakis, already producers from the area of Mesara, where the olive crops are cared for and irrigated, express their concern and seek solutions for the safety of their crops, in view of of the olive fruit harvest.

Thus, among the proposals, as explained by Mr. Protogerakis, is to create groups of producers, who will contribute financially to hire security to guard the fields. Others even suggest that the producers themselves organize and carry out patrols at night in the olive groves, while there are also suggestions for placing microchips in the olive fruit, as some do with their flocks, so that, in case of theft, it is possible to be detected the course of the stolen cargo. Also, Mr. Protogerakis, in his letter to the local police HQ, will request the taking of increased measures for the safety of the olive groves that are full.