Royal Mediterranean has manufactured healthy and innovative preserved foods for more than 90 years. Serving customers in over 30 countries worldwide, the company has continued to grow and advance within the food industry. Business Development Manager Argyris Tsatsoulis discussed the company’s vision for growth and its current capabilities in conversation with Imogen Ward.
After opening its doors in 1925, Royal Mediterranean has continued to manu facture the very best quality Mediterranean food produce, giving everyone an opportunity to experience the delightful taste and health benefits of this diet. In line with the company’s mission to spread the Mediterranean diet, its products can be found in 30 different countries including New Zealand, Australia, USA and Mexico.
As a fourth generation, family-owned business, Royal Mediterranean always works hard to ensure its products are the very best quality. With a production facility located in the city of Xanthi in Greece and a second in Turkey, the company manufactures over 20 million jars of produce annually.
The pickle professionals
Royal Mediterranean specialises in pickled vegetables, creating innovative and deliciously nutritious products for its consumers. The company’s passion is apparent in every project it takes on. “One of the things I love about my job is the ability to meet and communicate with people all over the world,” said Business and Development Manager Argyris Tsatsoulis.
“We get to learn all about different cultures and customs, enabling us to produce recipes that best suit them.”
Each of Royal Mediterranean’s products has been created with quality in mind. The ingredients are grown and harvested using specialist methods and are the epitome of freshness. The highest possible standards are always maintained; all ingredients are selected carefully to ensure they follow these principles – creating delicious food products in the process.
After noticing a change in food consumption – with customers desiring less salt and fat in their foods, and an increasing demand for gluten-free products – Royal Mediterranean worked hard to adapt its recipes to ensure they reflected these trends. “One way that we adjusted the recipes of our products was to swap oil with marinated brine,” Mr Tsatsoulis said. “This change helps to reduce fat intake.”
Included in Royal Mediterranean’s range is the top-selling Red Roasted Pepper that is available in 500ml
and 720ml jars. This highly popular product is a taste sensation, and received the 2018 and 2020 Superior Taste Awards from the International Taste Institute.
Other product lines from the company include the Sundried Tomatoes range. This selection offers sundried tomatoes in a variety of bases – giving the customers optimal choice. Bases include Herbs Brine, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Balsamico Brine and Sunflower Oil.
The company also has a fantastic range of Antipasti Dips and Spreads for all occasions. These products vary from the excitingly unusual Roasted Eggplant & Greek Feta/Mizithra Spread, to the more conventional yet enticing Hummus, Harissa, and Garlic Spread with Herbs. All these creations are made using unique and innovative recipes to deliver the very best taste experience.
With modern living in mind, Royal Mediterranean has ensured that
“Our business is still family-owned to this day, and we continue to incorporate pivotal values based on our expert knowledge; working hard to be dependable and protect our future”
its products are rich in nutrition. Whether as a quick snack or as an ingredient to optimise a deli cious meal, these products make it easier for customers to enjoy amazing foods without having to sac rifice valuable time.
Climate conscious
At every opportunity, Royal Mediterranean works hard to improve its environmental impact. From recyclable packaging to the implementation of recycling processes during production, the company invests in research targeting sustainability. More recently, Royal Mediterranean installed solar panels on its production facilities; this investment has enabled the company to switch to renewable energy sources.
The company has also recently invested in fleet renewal, acquiring new trucks and company cars that are more fuel efficient and economic. This venture is largely in aid of improving sustainability.
Despite Royal Mediterranean’s best efforts, external factors have affected its production capacity; climate change is one of the most prevalent factors. “Over the past few years,” said Mr Tsatsoulis, “we have witnessed severe weather conditions such as hail and heavy rainfall during the harvesting period. The impact of this weather is dramatic. Because of this factor, our crop yield is reduced for the entire year; as a result, we produce less harvestable produce.”
The company endeavours to maintain an efficient and sustainable operation –these values are reflected in every aspect of the business. Royal Mediterranean’s suppliers are also included in this quest for excellence. Throughout its lifetime, the company has had ample opportunity to work alongside many different suppliers. Due to this experience, Royal Mediterranean has made sure to carefully develop and sustain meaningful relationships with suppliers who align with its own values. “Our suppliers are a key part of our success,” Mr Tsatsoulis said, “we believe our long-lasting cooperation with suppliers is extremely beneficial – not just for them, but for us as well.”
On this topic, Mr Tsatsoulis also highlighted the importance of Royal Mediterranean’s employees: “We have an amazing group of professionals in the office who play a fundamental role in our success; I am always happy to see their
faces and enjoy every opportunity to cooperate with them to find the best possible solutions. I would also like to take the time to mention my cousin Spyros Tsatsoulis: we are continuously working together, and I am so grateful to have a counterpart who shares my mentality and extensive work ethic; it really helps to maximise productivity and inspiration.”
Growing opportunities
The success of Royal Mediterranean within the food industry is impressive. The company plans to further this success via expansion of its capabilities, and hopes to explore new product categories; Royal Mediterranean has purchased new machinery to accomplish this feat.
Despite recent global supply issues, Royal Mediterranean
remains strong in its plans for expansion. The company has successfully mitigated the impact of this supply issue with in-depth planning: it acquired all necessary materials well in advance. The company acknowledges the risk involved in this strategy; it retains a positive outlook for the future of the supply chain however.
Preserves – specifically marmalades –and condiments are the latest venture on Royal Mediterranean’s radar. The company has witnessed an increase in demand for these products and hopes to break into this market, maintaining its reputation as an innovative leader in the food industry.
The company also plans to distribute its products to as many consumers as possible. “Our main objective is to give more people access to the freshest, tastiest, cleanest and most responsibly grown products available,” Mr Tsatsoulis concluded. “Why do we do what we do? simply, because we care for everyone, and for our planet.
“We know it’s a big job, but we are up for the challenge. Our business is still familyowned to this day, and we continue to incorporate pivotal values based on our expert knowledge, working hard to be dependable and protect our future. Royal Mediterranean is proud to manufacture products of the very finest quality.”
