ΣτΕ: Only the Messinian producers of Kalamon olives can write the word ‘Kalamata’

By Panagiotis Stathis

The annulment of the contested ministerial decision by which the Kalamon variety was characterized as synonymous with the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) “Elia Kalamata” was decided by the Council of State.

The judges ruled that only Messinian growers, producers of Kalamata olives, could indicate “Kalamata” on the packaging, while olive growers of this variety from other regions (except Messinia) would indicate “Kalamata Olives”. “and the region of origin (eg Amfissa).

The Fourth Department of the CoE with its decision no. 1149/2022 accepted the application of the “Association in favor of the Messinian Olive Products of Protected Designation of Origin” which requested the annulment of the decision of 7.2.2018 of the Minister and Deputy Minister of Development (amended older than 2016) as regards the entry in the Variety Register of the olive variety with the name “Kalamata”.

The Association argued that the ministerial decision in question was issued in violation of European legislation, because it allows the use of the term Kalamata olive as a synonym for the Kalamon olive variety, despite the fact that the name “Kalamata” is a protected right of origin, while it is misleading indication to consumers.

With its decision, the CoC annulled the contested ministerial decision due to illegal reasons, as the competent ministers proceeded to register the name “Kalamata”, without taking into account the conditions required by European legislation and recognized the name “Kalamata” ( “), as a protected designation of origin of the Kalamon olive.