The story of Tragano in one of outstanding product quality and exceptional people

Founded in 1929, Tragano is a family run company with a long experience in traditional Greek food and a deep commitment to the community. Our company was founded by our grandfather, Nikos Kostopoulos, as a family enterprise specializing in pickled vegetables. The company is named after the rural village in the Peloponnese region of western Greece where we are located. The region of Tragano (which means “crispy” in English) is famous in Greece for its produce and fertile land.

Our company progressively grew to become a firm dealing in pickled vegetables, olive oil, and sauces, and became one of the major producers of olives. For three generations, we have taken pride in the outstanding quality of our products and of the exceptional people working with us. Over the years we have developed long-lasting relationships with farmers from small estates in our community who, like us, believe in product excellency and sustainable agriculture. Moreover, most of our employees come from families in the area involved with agriculture themselves. Many of those families have been with us for generations. Tragano currently employs about 90 people full time and 140 in the summer months at the peak of our production.

Tragano serves the Greek market and also exports to Europe, the United States, Australia, and the Middle East. In the last few years we decided to switch to organic products and created Tragano Greek Organics with a companywide goal of having 100% organic production by 2025.

Tragano has been certified by the Food Safety Mondernization Act (FSMA), BRC Global Standards, International Featured Standards (IFS), BSCI, USDA-organic, non-GMO project and ISO 22000 as meeting international food safety management standards. It is also Kosher certified.

Our Team

is part of our family

Our team is our pride and an integral part of our success

Tragano currently employs about 90 full-time workers and 140 seasonal personnel. Many come from families from the local community area. A substantial number of employees have retired after working most of their time at Kozat and even today, their children keep working with us, a testament to our deep commitment to the local community. Although family members are still active at the company, we pride ourselves on developing and promoting new talent to key managerial positions.

Antonia Kalogeropoulou

*Agronomist*
I earned a degree in agronomy before joining Tragano in 2001. My job is to oversee the cultivations, and to ensure the quality and safety of the agricultural products that the company receives. In my free time I enjoy reading, going out with friends, and traveling.

Michalis Bakogiannis

*Quality Assurance*
I hold a degree in food and nutrition technology and I have been working in Tragano’s Quality Assurance Department since 2015. The job is really interesting and demanding at the same time. We have to cope with all the matters that make the production difficult , and we always need to make the right decision. In my free time I love to read, take long walks and spend time with family.

Dimitris Avramopoulos

*Finished Product Manager*
I am an engineer and have been employed by Tragano for the last 20 years. I spent almost 17 years in the workshop and for the last three years I have been in charge of production. It is a hard job, but also very interesting. I like hunting and fishing -- when I find time.

Haralampos Tzelepis

*Plant Manager*
I have been for 10 years with Tragano and I manage all raw materials and bulk products. I hold a degree in mineralogy and worked for several years in environmental management programs. I come from a rural family in the region, and I enjoy keeping up contacts with Tragano’s producers. I am a bird watcher, a photographer, and a cigar aficionado.

Zvetlana Dyachenko

*New Product Development Specialist*
I have been working for the company for almost 15 years. I am currently assigned to the Quality Assurance Department, where I specialize in new product development. I have to be everywhere, any time, and I always do so! I enjoy spending time with family and traveling in the Greek countryside.

Konstantina Michaliou

*Exports*
I studied finance as an undergraduate and now I hold an MBA. I have been working in Tragano’s Export Department since 2013. What I like about my job is communicating with customers and the gratification to know that everything has gone well and they are excited about the product they received. In my free time I enjoy swimming, reading, going to the movies, and going out with friends.

Sakis Kostopoulos

*General Manager*
I am the General Manager at Kozat S.A. Fine Foods, Tragano;s parent company. An economics major in college, since I began full-time employment in 1990, I have helped establish the company's commitment to product quality. I also have embraced research, and developed the Tragano brand within the Kozat S.A. umbrella. In my free time I love to read and watch movies.

Nikos Kostopoulos

*Operations Manager*
I am the Operations Manager at Kozat S.A. I joined the family business straight after university, where I studied chemistry. Working in my father's company during school holidays and weekends convinced me to go into the family business. I relish working with farmers. There is a pleasure in knowing that you did the right thing, that you found the best producer in the area. In my free time, I really like riding horses and reading.

Bill Kostopoulos

*Chief Financial Officer*
I am the CFO of Kozat S.A., and have been part of the family business since 1996. I also worked during my summer university holidays at the factory. I have a preference for the production when it is in full swing and I love spending time around the employees when my daily schedule is over. I enjoy reading, swimming, and watching movies with Sakis.