According to a report in Financial Report, Anogeia, located 730 meters above sea level with the majestic Mount Psiloritis to the southeast, is often perceived as a remote and less developed area compared to the rest of Crete. This perception of inaccessibility has, in turn, limited its growth potential.
The closure of the local cooperative during the financial crisis only deepened this pessimism. However, over the past few years, a series of initiatives has aimed to turn things around, positioning Anogeia as both an important agrifood center and a tourist destination.Stefanis Chairetis, president of the newly established Anogeia Cooperative (founded 18 months ago), shared in an interview that the town’s dairy industry is undergoing a complete overhaul. This is expected to boost production and create new jobs. “At the old dairy, before it closed, around 50 people were employed. Now, we anticipate creating around 35 jobs. This project will be a lifeline for the area,” Chairetis told Financial Report. The goal is to build a state-of-the-art dairy facility that incorporates modern technology without losing touch with tradition.
Chairetis also noted that the investment, partially funded by the EU’s ESPA program, is expected to be finalized early next year, following assessments by the engineers overseeing the project. If all goes according to plan, the new facility will be completed by October 2025. Since its founding, the new cooperative already counts 120 members, and there is optimism that within the next two years, all local farmers will join.
Growing Demand for Local Products
Currently, Anogeia’s livestock farmers, who manage 110,000 sheep and goats, produce three varieties of cheese, including graviera and anthotyro. These products are sold exclusively in AB Vasilopoulos supermarkets across Greece and Crete, with a few smaller retailers on the island also carrying them. Once the new dairy is fully operational, production is expected to expand to 15 different varieties of cheese from Crete.
The idea for this exclusive partnership between the cooperative and AB Vasilopoulos came from the company’s CEO, Nikos Lavidas, as part of a broader initiative to promote traditional Greek products. The partnership, realized a year ago with the help of Yiannis Fasoulas, owner of the meat and seafood company Krivek, has proven successful. Fasoulas, who is also president of the Panhellenic Association of Meat and Livestock Traders, has been a key strategic partner for AB Vasilopoulos in recent years.
According to the company’s management, these cheese products have become some of the best-selling items in their category. With the new dairy facility slated to open at the end of 2025, production will ramp up significantly, allowing for even larger orders across the entire AB Vasilopoulos network.
Weaving School and a Hotel with a Lyrical Touch
Tourism is another sector that has seen rapid development in Anogeia in recent years. Despite its mountainous location, far from the sea, the area has experienced increased visitation, particularly from Greek tourists.
As the town’s mayor, Sokratis Kefalogiannis, explained in the Financial Report, Anogeia is more than just a small town; it’s a living organism, with a bank, a health center, and families with 150 children attending local schools. The town provides full primary education, from kindergarten through high school.
In a further effort to support the town’s cultural and economic growth, a weaving school is set to open soon in a building adjacent to the dairy, a project spearheaded by the Ministry of Culture.
Additionally, a large four-star hotel, the Delina Resort, recently opened in Anogeia. Owned by well-known lyra player Vasilis Skoulas, a native of Anogeia, the resort represents a significant investment for the area. It offers a touch of luxury that contrasts with the smaller, more traditional accommodations typically found in the region, boosting the town’s appeal to visitors seeking comfort and elegance.
Through these combined efforts in agriculture and tourism, Anogeia is steadily transforming into a center of growth and opportunity, ensuring a brighter future for the region.