New "headache" for olive producers: The unknown Government Gazette brings bureaucracy and heavy fines

19 June, 2025 17:12

A new legislative framework, published just days before Easter (Government Gazette B' 1749/10-04-2025), is turning things upside down for thousands of olive producers, both large and small. Based on the new law, registration in the Olive Registry becomes mandatory in order to legally utilize this year's production. Otherwise, producers risk being excluded from olive mills, as well as facing high fines.

From tradition… to bureaucracy

Until recently, personal work and an agreement with the olive mill were sufficient to produce and distribute the oil. Now, producers are required to go through a series of time-consuming bureaucratic procedures, with the main requirement being the declaration of ownership of the olive trees in the Registry by September 30, 2025. Only then will they be able, from October 1, to submit the necessary Harvest Declarations for the 2025-2026 olive growing season.

What does the new law provide?

This regulation is an update of a 2005 law, and aims to limit undeclared production and illegal trade. Olive mills and other olive growing businesses are required to adhere to strict rules, with the risk of even suspension of operations if they fail to comply.

Public services under pressure

The implementation of the law is causing great concern, as the Directorates of Agricultural Economy and Veterinary Medicine (DAOK) that are called upon to manage the entire process are understaffed. In the case of Messinia, for example, two DAOKs are called upon to serve over 30,000 VAT numbers and 90,000 agricultural parcels.

At the same time, a three-member Olive Sector Committee is being established per Regional Unit, responsible for on-site inspections in both olive groves and olive mills.

Obligations of olive producers

Owners must declare the olive harvest from October 1 to May 31 of each year — even if production is zero. Responsibility for the accuracy of the declaration lies solely with the producer, while the DAOK will conduct sample checks on at least 5% of the declarations.

The "mountain" of supporting documents

The requirement to submit up to 15 different supporting documents is also confusing. These include:

A. General documents:

• Solemn declaration of registration or amendment in the S.G.P.-E.T.

• Culture declaration.

• Photocopy of police ID.

• Recent tax clearance certificate.

• IACS declaration (if applicable).

• Invoices for the purchase of seedlings (for new plantings).

B. In case of ownership:

• Property contract or title.

• Transcript certificate.

• Cadastral or topographic extract.

• Property status.

C. In case of rental:

• Electronic rental.

D. In case of co-ownership:

• Solemn declaration from the co-owners.

E. In case of inheritance:

• Death certificate.

• Certificate of next of kin.

Changes also in the documents of olive mills

Anonymity in transactions is abolished. From now on, invoices and delivery notes must indicate:

• Name and VAT number of the producer.

• Olive variety.

• The 13-digit code of the olive plot.

• In case of different pieces, the proportion of the quantity in each.

Fire fines

The penalties for violations are severe:

For inaccurate statements:

• 60€ / 100 kilos (for oil extraction).

• 150€ / 100 kilos (for tabletop use).

For non-submission of a declaration:

• From 21 to 50 trees: €100.

• From 51 to 100 trees: €500.

• From 101 to 500 trees: €1,000.

• From 501 to 1,000 trees: €3,000.

• Over 1,001 trees: €5,000.

In cases of repeated non-compliance, fines are increased by 50%.

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