Charalambides Christis

A TASTE OF CYPRUS’ DAIRY TRADITION

POWERED BY INSIDE FOOD & DRINK

DAIRY TRADITION

With a history dating back over seven decades, Charalambides Christis has evolved to become Cyprus' leading dairy producer. In the context of its rich heritage and innovative practices, the company continues to uphold its commitment to producing quality dairy products and contributing to societal well-being. Richard Hagan met with Managing Director Marios Konstantinou who shared the company's journey, its unrelenting commitment to quality and sustainability, and how it navigates evolving market trends while maintaining a people-centric culture.

Charalambides Christis, the largest dairy producer in Cyprus, stands as a beacon of Cypriot industry, blending a rich historical legacy with modern innovation and commitment to quality.

The company's ethos, as eloquently expressed by Managing Director Marios Konstantinou, is rooted in “creating new products, developing technologies, maximising productivity, improving services, responding to the needs of the public and satisfying the need for creativity.” This is the DNA that has defined Charalambides Christis from its inception to the present day.

All in the family

Founded in 1945 by Takis Charalambides and his son-in-law Evris Nikolaides as Charalambides Dairy, Charalambides Christis has weathered several transformations over the years. A significant turning point arrived in 2011, following a merger with Christis Dairies Ltd. The result was an exclusively Cypriot industry that proudly bears the name Charalambides Christis.

“In its current form, structure and composition, it has been operating since 2011, headed by the families of Alexis and Elena Charalambides and Melis Siakolas,” said Mr Konstantinou, who described the

merger as one of the largest in the Cypriot food sector's history and an important milestone in the company's evolution.

Today, Charalambides Christis employs 700 skilled staff across all of its divisions. Together, they produce a range of delicious, nutritious dairy products including fresh milk, flavoured milk, yoghurts, cream, sour cream and margarine. Of course, speciality Mediterranean cheeses feature heavily in the company’s portfolio, with mouthwatering varieties including Feta, Halloumi, Anari and Kefalotyri.

Modernisation investments

Charalambides Christis is not just grounded in tradition; it is equally dedicated to inno vation and modernisation. Over the past few years, the company has made

substantial investments to stay ahead of the curve, as Mr Konstantinou revealed: “More than €30 million has been invested to renew and modernise our infrastructure. This ensures that the products that leave our factory are of the highest quality and the safest for the consumer.”

This significant investment underscores the company's commitment to its vision for the future, leveraging advanced technology and rigorous quality control to uphold its reputation for quality.

Charalambides Christis’ commitment to quality extends to ensuring the welfare of the animals providing the raw dairy materials. “The company has proceeded in cooperating with a recognised accredited body, for the certification of the company and its suppliers, according to the

private Animal Welfare Standard for the welfare of productive animals,” said Mr Konstantinou. “The company has invested in specially trained, qualified staff to monitor and support the farms, indicating a broader vision of quality that incorporates ethical considerations and consumer health.”

Engaging with the community

An integral part of Charalambides Christis' evolution has been adapting to emerging trends and consumer needs. The rise of home cooking, fuelled by popular TV cooking shows like MasterChef, has seen increased interest in the company's dairy products. Mr Konstantinou responded to this trend: “Our products, by their very nature, as dairy products, are integral to this trend.”

He cited the company’s engagement in interactive social media activities and partnerships with beloved chefs to provide recipe suggestions as evidence of its proactive approach to this trend.

“Consumers are rediscovering creativity in cooking at home,” he said. “As part of our marketing efforts, we set up a series of interactive activities on social media

under the umbrella of ‘Cooking Stories’, featuring challenges between well-known cooks and recipe suggestions from the public, as well as the exchange of ideas via SMS and more.”

The company’s involvement in the community extends beyond that, however Charalambides Christis has demonstrated active support for local athletes and sports initiatives as well. A testament to this is the sponsorship agreement that it signed with the Cyprus Olympic Committee in January 2023.

“We support various sporting disciplines as well as championship sport; we prefer to sponsor athletes who compete with consistency and ethics, always giving their best,” Mr Konstantinou said. “This reflects the company's belief in the spirit

of fair play and its commitment to giving back to society.”

One of Charalambides Christis’ other successful community endeavours in recent years is its corporate programme of social solidarity and practical contribution, ‘Symmetochi’ (Participation). With its basic message, ‘To Kalitero Sti Zoi Mas’ (The best in our lives), the programme aims to maximise the company’s contribution to socially vulnerable groups in Cypriot society.

Charalambides Christis is also tuned in to the trend towards dairy alternatives, recognising the growing number of lactose -intolerant consumers. “On the one hand, it gives millions of people with lactose intolerance a way out, but at the same time, it creates new

product categories and expands the market,” the MD explained. “We are constantly listening to what is happening and we’re responding to it. We already produce lactose-free products, and we certainly won’t stop there.”

He added that the company is optimistic that the growing market for dairy-free products is a net positive for it.

Sustainable success

A significant component of the company’s vision for the future is its commitment to sustainability and corporate social responsibility, as Mr Konstantinou explained: “Charalambides Christis has designed a comprehensive ESG (Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance) programme that is aligned with the 17

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This is a one-way street for sustainability and reflects our commitment to making a positive impact on society through our actions and initiatives such as this one.”

At the heart of Charalambides Christis is a deeply ingrained culture that is people centred. Mr Konstantinou outlined how this emphasis on culture, coupled with the company’s passionate pursuit of innovation, forms a vital part of what keeps him excited about coming to work every day.

Concluding, he summed up his daily experience at Charalambides Christis: “Every day, I am able to leave work feeling satisfied because once again we have achieved our goals, having supplied all of Cyprus with fresh, quality products!” n

Managing Director Marios Konstantinou