The Olive Oil Co-operative of Kryoneri established around 1970 with the purpose to serve the village’s olive farmers. The annual olive production is about 320,000 tones, harvested from more than 55,000 thousand trees. The olive orchards of the village are located at an altitude of 500-600 meters. The oil obtained has an acidity of 0,4-0, 5 points, giving it an excellent flavour.
The first type of mill was a classic one with elaiopana (Moutafis) and operated until 1982. Because it had a low performance, it was replaced with a new centrifuge.
In 1994, due to an increase in olive production, the factory was equipped with modern machines. The cooperative is a unit serving producers and non-partners.
The olive press
The olive press in the village belongs to the agricultural cooperative founded in November 1970. The plot was purchased by Athanassouli 1967.
Within three years, the house was built and shaped space. In November 1970 came the machines. Partners then started the operation of the mill with 104 members, which has now increased to 170 members. The first olive mill was centrifugal, however, the first five years of operation haven’t been very successful.
Previously, there were two other private oil presses operating in Kryoneri, however, those have stopped operating in 1970. The second oil mill started in 1975 and worked the classic way with moutafia (press bags) by 1982. In 1982 they changed into centrifuge machines, which has operated until 1995. In 1995 a fourth centrifugal olive press has been installed, which is what we have today. It consists of the following machines: laundry, leaves cleaner, olives lift, crushers, mixers, decanter and oil separator. In good production years about 1,800,000 tons are elaborated, producing 350,000 tons of olive oil.
Traditional Mills Kryoneri
Kryoneri, known as Matsani until the 1950’s, has had three working olive presses since the 19th century. They are located near the river that divides the village in two settlements.
These are the following family factories, which have been operating traditional oil factories in the village: a) family Georgios Papanikolaou, b) family Angelos Papathanasiou and c) family Christos Dimou (Papachristos).
The main reason for developing these traditional units was the large quantity of olives gathered from residents Kryoneri, as the olive harvest has been and is the main and unique winter pastime of residents. Olive and raisins have been the main products providing income to the old residents of Kryoneri necessary for the development of each individual and family well-being of the village.
The three oil presses were built on the west bank of the stream which runs through Kryoneri. The river is formed by the winter rain waters that descend from the Apagoremeno Forest and streams that cross the slopes above it and enriched by the sources of the upper village fountain. Was and is one of the main water stream forming the river Elisson.
The water was the main operating lever one oil mill. The main process followed in the production of oil in the early years was as follows: From the sources of the upper Fountain transported with an iron pipe water in oil mill, which channeled a concrete tank and from there to warm pot. The olives are gathered in volumes, trimmed of branches and leaves, wash in cement boats and dumped into a large round stone threshing floor in the center of which there were two round stones tied together in a rotating iron shaft. With the help of animals, mostly mules, swirling stones and poltopoiountan olives. Then collects the pulp, called the trappings and containers shipped from olive mill workers in Moutafis, in square or circular knitted or Bristle chortinous collectors. Then they placed one above the other Moutafis and squeezed with wooden hand strivla principle to distinguish the liquid mixture. Then opened the Moutafis and divert this hot water. Repeating the same procedure by turning strivlas. The oil with the aid of hot water clean longer collected in large containers (Libby) from where it is distributed to the owners and the MOUTAFI removes time liokoki (the dry extract of olives without liquid). With the passage of time and the introduction of electricity and Kryoneri, new electric steel mills framed components (such as the press instead of strivlas, where the anavatorio took and carried by ships its crop, then wash the threshing floor, spacer which channeled the hot water and the essence of olive oil came out clean, etc.).
Of the two old olive presses in operation until the 1980’s, now preserved in the area off the family olive mill municipality. The oil mill family Papathanasiou destroyed in late 1980, to be constructed in the area of community Krioneriou square. The oil mill family Papanikolaou, located near the present bridge was destroyed already of old landslide and soil within the stream. Priest Christos Papanikolaou carried the oil mill near his home where he is inactive until today.
Since the 1970’s worked and works Kryoneri new modern electric cooperative mill serves up mostly residents of Krioneri.
The stone olive mill family Vlasios municipality as it is today, with later additions.
President of the Board of Directors
Vice-President: Zarkos Konstantinos
General Secretary: Vassilis Raftopoulos
Financial Manager: Vassilis Anagnostopoulos
Member of the Board of Directors: Mylonas Paraskeva
