Chios Mastic Producers Association

Η Chios Mastic Producers Association was founded in 1938. It is a Compulsory Cooperative, representing 20 primary cooperatives of the 24 Mastic villages and is the exclusive management body of Chios mastic both in Greece and abroad. Today, the Chios Mastic Producers Association, which has about 4850 members, is one of the largest organizations in the North Aegean Region that produces, packages and trades natural Chios Mastic, mastic oil and mastic water, mastic powders and chewing gum ELMA. Its commercial activity is mainly export, since about 70% of the annual production is promoted in foreign markets.

Since 1997, the Chios Mastic It has been characterized PDO product, while since the fall of 2014 the cultivation of mastic is part of the intangible cultural heritage of UNESCO. However, the highest distinction of mastic is its characterization by the European Medicines Agency as natural medicine of plant origin (January 2016).

In modern times, the scientific community now proves with research that Chios mastic has a beneficial effect on diseases of the digestive system, contributes to oral hygiene, has significant antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory action, is a natural antioxidant, while helping to heal and heal wounds. . It has extensive applications and uses as a source of inspiration in the food and beverage industry, in the pharmaceutical and chemical industry and in the production of cosmetics and perfumes.

Today Chios mastic is exported all over the world in a wide variety of products: pastries, sweets, jams, ice creams, chocolates, chewing gums, candies, drinks, tea, coffee, dairy, pasta, sauces, liqueur, ouzo, wine, complement Oral hygiene products, surgical sutures, burn patches, dentures, soaps, cosmetics, scented candles, essential oils, painting varnishes and adhesive resins.

A breakthrough in the development of the Cooperative was the establishment of "Mediterra Societe Anonyme Commercial Cooperative Societe Anonyme", In the summer of 2002, in the framework of the reorganization plan for the Association of Mastic Producers of Chios. The main goal of the company was to create an effective mechanism for the promotion and promotion of Chian mastic that was achieved with the establishment of mastihashop stores (www.mastihashop.com) which today constitute the mastic embassies around the world, promoting a range of innovative mastic-based products. In parallel with the development of the network of mastihashop stores in Greece and abroad, Mediterra develops significant distribution activities in many different distribution channels (super market, delicatessen, pharmacies, health food stores, etc.).

We spoke with the CEO of Mediterra Giannis Mandala:

«Our assessment is that the future of mastic, and therefore of the Cooperative and the company, is the utilization of the medicinal dimension of mastic. The design and production of high value-added products that will leverage the findings of scientific research is now a strategic priority that those who live and work for mastic are called to serve consistently and decisively.».