Producers Association

The Producers Association (PA) of the Agricultural Cooperative of Chania is an initiative of the Cooperative’s olive oil producers, and operates within the cooperation. Recognized by the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food as an Olive Oil Organization (OOO), the PA is funded by its own, national, and Euiropean Union’s funds in order to achieve:

• The greatest possible support for its olive oil producer members
• The reduction of the environmental impact of olive cultivation
• The upgrading of the quality of olive oil produced and the safety of the end consumer, through the adoption of modern quality and traceability systems

The foundation on which the Association’s program is based is the producers themselves and the implementation of the Integrated Quality Management System (IMS) in conjunction with the Lubrication Management System with the electronic application “Lubrication Advice”. The combination of these two systems, along with the interactive training of producers in new cultivation and harvesting techniques, ensures the harmonious transition of production from its traditional form to the modern era, with the support of electronic data logging, with the ability to process and draw conclusions on improving the quality of the olive oil produced, and with the reduction for the producer of the burden of unnecessary actions. The producer members of the PA that participate in the framework of the Integrated Quality Management System, are cultivating about 2,000 acres in total.

The implementation of Integrated Management and the detailed electronic logging of production phases is complemented by the installation and operation of an Olive Oil Traceability System. The traceability of products is essential for the production of quality products and the assurance of the end consumer. The whole process is completed by the implementation of an ISO 22000: 2005 Food Safety Management System with electronic application.