Inspectors target illegal olive oil production and trafficking

The Independent Authority for Public Revenue is launching targeted inspections at olive oil production units in central and southern Greece after data pointed to income hiding and tax evasion in this sector.

Checks will focus on the areas where these phenomena are most common, such as Crete, the Peloponnese (Messinia, Argolida and Laconia) and Fthiotida in central Greece.

It has been noted that a large number of olive producers submit their produce to private presses instead of local cooperatives, without the necessary documents, then selling their oil illegally so as to conceal revenues and evade the taxes due.

Inspections will begin immediately and last until March, IAPR said on Thursday.