Kyriakos Mamidakis, Award-Winning Olive Oil Producer, Dies
Mamidakis ran a large oil and gas company and produced an award-winning olive oil on his family's Estate on Crete.
Kyriakos Mamidakis
Kyriakos Mamidakis, a Greek businessman known for running a large oil and gas shipping company and producing award-winning olive oil on his family’s farm in Crete, has died by suicide. His company, Mamidoil-Jetoil, operates around 600 gas stations in Greece and filed for bankruptcy in 2019 with significant debt.
A Greek businessman who ran a large oil and gas shipping company and produced an award-winning olive oil on his family’s farm on Crete has died, his death ruled a suicide, according to reports.
Kyriakos Mamidakis, 84, was chairman of Mamidoil-Jetoil, a fuel transporter that operates around 600 gas stations in Greece, according to the Associated Press (AP).
The Mamidakis family produces Anoskeli olive oil, a Silver Award winner at the 2013 New York International Olive Oil Competition.
Mamidakis founded the Anoskeli Agricultural Company in 1983, named after his birthplace, a small village near Chania, Crete where his family produces Anoskeli olive oil and wine under the name “Ano Playa.”
According to the company’s website, the estate includes its own “state of the art olive oil plant and a boutique winery as well as privately-owned olive groves of 122,333 square meters with 2,888 olive trees and 17,000 square meters of vineyards.”
Mamidoil-Jetoil filed for bankruptcy on June 9, the AP reported, having owed creditors €314 million ($350 million) at the end of 2015, with cash reserves of 600,000 ($668,000).
Related Articles
Apr. 21, 2025
Trump's Tariffs Threaten Greek Olive Oil, Table Olives
Tariffs on imported food from the E.U. jeopardize the Greek staples' positions in the American market, but negotiations are ongoing.
Dec. 30, 2024
Greeks Celebrate Christmas with Traditional Olive Oil-Based Cookies
The season’s fresh olive oil and simple ingredients are used to make melomakarona and kourabiedes, two celebrated Greek Christmas delicacies.
Dec. 8, 2025
Extreme Weather Ravages Olive Groves Across Greece, Undermining 2025 Output
Hailstorms of unusual intensity have devastated olive farms across Greece, leaving producers facing severe losses in a year already marked by climate and pest pressures.
Dec. 19, 2025
Greek Farmers Block Roads Over Delayed Subsidies and Low Olive Oil Prices
Greek farmers blocked motorways and border crossings nationwide, protesting delayed subsidy payments, low producer prices and rising costs, with olive oil growers among the hardest hit.
Aug. 11, 2025
Greece Pushes to Shield Two Iconic Agrifood Exports from 15% Tariff
Greece is seeking to shield key agrifood exports, including olive oil, table olives, feta and yogurt, from the new 15-percent U.S. import tariff, warning the levy could burden one of its most valuable trade relationships.
Apr. 4, 2025
Greece's Olive Oil Yield Exceeds Projections
Greek olive oil producers have enjoyed successful season with increased yields and high-quality oils, but struggle with low prices and post-wildfire challenges.
Feb. 7, 2025
Why Olive Oil Prices in Greece Aren't Falling
Producers blame middlemen for stubbornly high prices.
Sep. 13, 2025
Olive Oil Production in Leading Countries Forecast to Fall to 2.65 Million Tons
Experts project lower but still significant olive oil production in 2025/26 across Mediterranean countries, with price fluctuations and climate playing key roles.