TÜV AUSTRIA in Greece participated as a Major Sponsor in the Agrifood Forward Summit, an important forum for dialogue in the agri-food sector, which highlighted current trends, innovations, and developments shaping the future of primary production and food businesses.
With the central message “A New Beginning for Primary Production”, the conference brought to the forefront the prerequisites for a new, more modern, sustainable, and competitive development model. Key topics included quality, traceability, food safety, technological advancement, and integrated production management, as defined by legislation, international standards, and innovative private protocols.
The Agrifood Forward Summit confirmed the dynamic potential of the Greek agri-food sector and highlighted the rightful place of Greek products in the global market: high‑quality, competitive, and outward‑looking. At the same time, through the participation of institutional bodies, producers, businesses, investors, and technology companies, a meaningful framework of dialogue was formed regarding the challenges and significant opportunities emerging for the future of Greek agrifood.
The event was attended by Ioannis Andrianos, Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food; Gerda Vogl, Ambassador of Austria to Greece, Spyros Protopsaltis, Secretary General of Rural Development and Food, Alexandra Palli, Deputy Regional Governor for Entrepreneurship and European Programming in the Region of Attica, Spyros Mamalis, President of ELGO – DIMITRA, Nikolaos Levetsovitis, President of the Hellenic Quality Infrastructure System (NQIS/ELOT & EIM) and Christos Trapalis, Director of the Accreditation Division of Certification/Inspection/Validation & Verification Bodies of Hellenic Accreditation System (ESYD).
TÜV AUSTRIA in Greece had a strong presence in the conference’s thematic discussions, reaffirming its active role in supporting the sector. With a consistent commitment to quality, safety, and innovation, it stands firmly alongside primary production, food businesses, and all those who support the agri-food sector daily, offering solutions, guidance, and assurance in an environment of constant change and increasing demands.
Mr. Ioannis Andrianos, Deputy Minister of Rural Development and food stated: “Greece’s primary sector must transition to a new production model, more qualitative, resilient, outward‑looking, and technologically advanced—capable of meeting modern consumer needs and international market requirements. Strengthening competitiveness and accessing high‑standard markets require investments in our comparative advantages, with certification, compliance to international standards, and the use of modern protocols serving as passports of credibility.”
Mr. Ioannis Kallias, Country Manager of TÜV AUSTRIA in Greece, stated: “The agrifood sector in Greece is a key pillar of the economy and social cohesion, with strong extroversion and high – quality products. However, it is called upon to address significant challenges such as low productivity, shifting consumer patterns, and increasing international market demands. The next day requires acceleration of digital transformation, investment in education and skills, strengthening of branding, and adoption of modern certification standards and partnerships. The challenges are many, but the opportunities are significant. We must act now, with planning and cooperation, for a more sustainable and competitive future for Greek agri-food.”
TÜV AUSTRIA’s support of the Agrifood Forward Summit in Greece is a tangible demonstration of its strategic commitment to fostering dialogue, meaningfully supporting the sector, and actively contributing to shaping the future of Greek agrifood. Through its connection with the market and institutional bodies, it reaffirms its role as a trusted partner in matters of quality, food safety, and certification, aiming to strenthen the resilience and international competitiveness of the Greek agri-food ecosystem.