Premium European Products: Better knowledge, Better Choices

Exploring PDO Products: A True European Heritage

One key highlight of the Premium European products campaign is the use of PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) products – guaranteeing quality and authenticity. PDO label ensures that the product comes from a specific geographical region and adheres to traditional production methods, preserving its cultural heritage and authenticity

Though strictly regulated by the European Union, this certification safeguards the products' unique qualities providing consumers with confidence in their purity and authenticity.

These carefully crafted products carry the essence of their origins, offering a taste of the unique climates and traditions they come from. Among them, the PDO Konservolia Rovion table olives from central Greece truly stand out. The Rovies municipality is well known for these olives, which have a unique taste and texture due to the area’s particular microclimate. These conditions make the flesh of the olive crispy with a dark green color and a characteristic aroma of olive oil.

PDO Viannos olive oil from Crete was also featured. Renowned for its rich golden color and smooth texture, Viannos olive oil embodies the ancient olive farming art practiced on the island for centuries. With its PDO certification, this 'liquid gold' is produced with rigorous adherence to the Greek tradition, adding to the hallowed name for olive oil worldwide.

Dairy, Snacks, and Sweet Indulgences

Latvian dairy products took center stage, with cream cheese and semi-hard cheeses generating a lot of attraction. Latvia's dairy sector impressed influencers with a variety of cream cheese options, ranging from traditional recipes to more innovative and creative flavors.

Additionally, Latvian salty snacks, such as hand-picked potato chips, were noteworthy for their natural ingredients and satisfying crunch.  These artisanal snacks showcased Latvia's rich food culture and highlighted the country's emphasis on using locally sourced, high-quality ingredients.

Furthermore, the unique flavors and textures offered a refreshing departure from mass-produced snack options, making them a standout.

Influencers Embrace Premium European Products

Malaysian influencers posted on social media how these premium products can fit into their daily lives, featuring Greek and Latvian products in local and fusion recipes. Influencers are showcasing the versatility of European produce, highlighting that from using PDO-certified olive oils to adding Latvian chocolate as a treat, it is possible to serve the best-quality traditional dish made from Europe. Instagram influencers also showed how the products they tried could be used in cooking or enjoyed as standalone snacks.

They kicked things off with an exclusive tasting event earlier this year on 17 July 2024, where they had their first taste, then took the goodies home to try them out in their own kitchens. Excited to share, they turned to social media, giving their followers a personal take on these new flavors and quality ingredients.

Influencers have successfully positioned themselves through their various social media platforms as the message bearer of Premium European Products. Enthusiastic reviews and stunning photography have sparked discussions among foodies who prioritize quality and authenticity in what they buy.

Some of the influencers participating include Shu Yi Lee, Juliana, Rachael Loh, Nomnom With Jaymie, Angel Chai, Sunshine Kelly, and Yesterday Qiqi.

Why Premium European Products Matter

The Premium European Products campaign is more than just a luxury showcase of foods: it aims to elevate the profile of European products in these markets by raising awareness, enhancing recognition, increasing consumption, and boosting exports. EU regulations ensure meticulous safety protocols, with stringent controls on pesticide use and strict hygiene standards in processing facilities. This prioritization of safety guarantees consumer trust in premium products. This means, for consumers, a guarantee of trust when buying any products with the PDO label.

Under the leadership of ETHEAS and LDC, this effort strives to respect the rich European cultural heritage and, at the same time, meet modern requirements of quality and safety when it comes to agricultural products. 

For more than 300 cooperatives in Greece, ETHEAS facilitates rural development and supports member cooperatives in exporting traditional products worldwide. The Latvian Dairy Committee (LDC), established in 1995, represents Latvian dairy processing sector and aims to protect its interests. It consists of 17 members processing approximately 80% of industrially produced milk in Latvia.

The current expansion of Premium European Products is entering new markets, with Malaysia, South Korea, and Canada next in line to discover these exceptional offerings. The plan is to raise awareness of these European treasures, increasing their visibility on consumers' palates and export tables, ranging from PDO olive oils from Greece to chocolates from Latvia.

Better Knowledge, Better Choices

Premium European Products sets the standard for excellence in food production with its campaign tagline: “Better Knowledge, Better Choices.” The enthusiastic participation of Malaysian influencers in this campaign marks just the beginning of a more significant movement to spotlight the finest products Europe has to offer.

Discover Greece and Latvia's rich flavors and traditions through Premium European Products today! Visit  Premium European Products to learn more and experience these regions' exquisite tastes.

For more information about the "Premium European Products" campaign, please visit  https://premiumeuropeanproducts.eu/ or email us to info@premiumeuropeanproducts.eu.

Pages dedicated to this program can be found on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, @premiumeuropeanproducts.

Notes to Editor

About National Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Greece (ETHEAS)

Founded by Greece's leading cooperatives and established by Greek law, ETHEAS is the national coordinating body of Agricultural Cooperatives in Greece. With over 300 member cooperatives representing approximately 80% of Greece's total agricultural cooperative turnover, ETHEAS aims to foster rural and cooperative development, support and promote its members' activities domestically and internationally, provide expert opinions on cooperative movement agricultural production and sector development, supervise the dissemination and promotion of cooperative ideas, and serve and educate its members through studies, research projects, and assignments.

About Latvian Dairy Committee (LDC)

The Latvian Dairy Committee (LDC), established in 1995, represents Latvian dairy processing sector and aims to protect its interests. It consists of 17 members processing approximately 80% of industrially produced milk in Latvia.