Greek Exporters

In May 2009, we inaugurated our new factory in Aspropyrgos, an investment of 100 million euro, which is one of the most modern manufacturing sites of Philip Morris International in Europe. Recently, Papastratos obtained a new production line for fine-cut tobacco, an investment of 3 million euro. We also have a tobacco warehouse facility in Agrinio and regional sales offices in Thessaloniki and Patras.

Papastratos has an active charitable contributions program that takes place across many regions of the country. A key project in 2013 is the funding for heating fuel for schools in tobacco growers’ areas in Northern Greece. Another important activity in this context is the vocational training program “Prepare yourself for the Future” that we implemented this year in cooperation with KEK-IVEPE. The program offered vocational training and certification to 1.000 unemployed but also employed or self-employed people at no cost to them or the Greek state. In our local community of Aspropyrgos we support the City’s Social Grocery which helps poor families and the homeless.

In February 2013, Philip Morris International signed a Corporation Agreement with the Greek Government that establishes a three-year framework for the purchase of Greek oriental tobacco by the company. The Agreement foresees an increase of 20% in the purchase of Greek oriental tobacco by Philip Morris International compared to the past three years and the adoption of good agricultural practices in order for Greek tobacco to preserve its high quality and to strengthen its competitiveness.

Acknowledging that illicit tobacco products trade is an increasing phenomenon which negatively impacts the whole legal chain of tobacco products trade and deprives significant income from the Greek State, we have undertaken since 2012 the initiative “NO TO ILLICIT CIGARETTES” and “NO TO ILLICIT BULK TOBACCO”. The aim of these initiatives is to inform and raise awareness among Greek citizens as well as to assist the State and the Law Enforcement Agencies in combatting illicit tobacco products trade.

In August 2013, Philip Morris International and Papastratos announced that Papastratos’ Agrinio-based leaf warehouse will be transformed into an oriental leaf logistics hub for Europe. The facility will become the only PMI owned logistics hub for oriental tobacco in Europe and will house tobacco from Greece, Bulgaria and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) prior to its transport to the Group’s factories in the European Union, Russia and Ukraine.

With a history of more than 80 years in Greece, Papastratos continues its dynamic business course supporting at the same time the Greek economy and society.