Haitoglou Bros

Haitoglou Bros is a Greek food manufacturing and processing company headquartered in Kalochori, in the Thessaloniki regional unit. It began in 1924 as a small halva producer established by three brothers, Eleftherios, Konstantinos and Savvas Haitoglou, who were Greek refugees from Ikonio in Asia Minor. Over time, the business developed from a regional confectionery producer into a broad food-processing operation centered on sesame and related products. The company's historic core is halva, a sesame-based confection traditionally associated with Greek cuisine. It also produces and sells tahini, processed sesame seeds, sesame flour, sesame oil and a range of confectionery and pantry products. These include wafer rolls, jams, spreads, nut bars, sesame bars, Turkish delight, dragée products and cake mixes. The range allows Haitoglou Bros to serve both traditional Greek-food demand and wider packaged-food categories. The company moved from its original small workshop in central Thessaloniki to a larger site on the outskirts of the city in 1931. In 1962 it relocated again to Kalochori, where its headquarters complex remains located. The site includes production, warehousing and office facilities and covers approximately 170,000 square metres. Haitoglou Bros is described as Greece's leading sesame processor. Its domestic commercial development began with expansion into southern Greece during the early 1950s. The name Macedonian Halva was introduced to distinguish the company's halva from products made in other parts of Greece. From the 1970s onward, Haitoglou Bros increasingly pursued export markets. Metal tins used for halva packaging helped make the product suitable for overseas transport, while Greek immigrant communities in countries such as Germany, the United States and Australia provided an initial customer base. The company subsequently broadened its international proposition beyond diaspora consumers, presenting sesame-based foods as suitable for wider interest in traditional, plant-based and health-oriented eating. Exports account for approximately 45% to 50% of the company's products according to the cited reference material, with the European Union and the United States identified as important destinations. Haitoglou Bros therefore combines a strong Greek and Mediterranean food identity with an international packaged-food distribution model. Its portfolio remains anchored in sesame processing while extending into sweet spreads, snack products, confectionery and baking ingredients. Publicly available material does not establish a current chief executive, ownership structure, revenue figure or official corporate website.

Haitoglou Bros was established in 1924 by three brothers—Eleftherios, Konstantinos and Savvas Haitoglou—who had Greek refugee origins in Ikonio, Asia Minor. The founders began with a small operation producing halva, a sesame-based confection that became the foundation of the company's identity and later expansion. The business emerged during a period when many Greek refugee communities were rebuilding commercial and industrial activity in northern Greece. In 1931, the company left its original workshop in central Thessaloniki for a larger facility on the city's outskirts. This move reflected the gradual scaling of production and distribution beyond a small local operation. During the early 1950s, Haitoglou Bros expanded sales into southern Greece, establishing a more national commercial presence. The product name Macedonian Halva was used to differentiate its halva from similar products associated with other Greek regions. A further relocation took place in 1962, when the company moved to Kalochori in the Thessaloniki regional unit. The Kalochori site became the company's long-term headquarters and developed into a substantial industrial complex containing production facilities, warehouses and offices. The complex is reported to cover about 170,000 square metres. During the 1970s, Haitoglou Bros began systematically exploring foreign markets. Its use of metal tins for halva packaging helped the product withstand international transportation. The company initially focused on Greek diaspora communities, particularly in Germany, the United States and Australia, where consumers retained familiarity with Greek delicacies. This diaspora-led export approach provided a foundation for wider international development. Over subsequent decades, the company broadened its customer proposition. Rather than relying only on consumers seeking Greek heritage products, Haitoglou Bros used its Greek origin and sesame expertise to address broader interest in tahini, sesame ingredients and foods associated with traditional or health-conscious diets. It expanded beyond halva into tahini, sesame seeds, sesame flour and sesame oil, while also building a confectionery portfolio that included wafer rolls, jams, spreads, bars, Turkish delight, dragée products and cake mixes. The company is described as Greece's leading sesame processor. Approximately 45% to 50% of its products are reported to be exported, especially to markets in the European Union and the United States. This export share indicates a business model combining domestic Greek recognition with international packaged-food distribution. Haitoglou Bros also received substantial public attention in 1995 after the kidnapping of its chief executive, Alexander Haitoglou. He was held hostage until his family reportedly paid a ransom of 260 million Greek drachmas. Vassilis Palaiokostas and his brother Nikos were convicted in connection with the kidnapping and received 25-year prison sentences. The incident is a notable part of the company's publicly documented history, although it does not define the company's food-processing activities. Available reference material confirms the company's continuing existence and broad product range but does not provide a verified current executive roster, ownership details, revenue figures, official website or precise chronology for later product launches and corporate decisions.

1. 1995Kidnapping of chief executive

   Chief executive Alexander Haitoglou was kidnapped and held hostage in an incident that resulted in criminal convictions and received extensive news coverage.

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2. 1970Began developing overseas markets

   The company started exploring export markets, initially targeting Greek diaspora communities in Germany, the United States and Australia.

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3. 1962Relocated to Kalochori

   Haitoglou Bros moved to Kalochori in the Thessaloniki regional unit, the location of its long-term headquarters and industrial complex.

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4. 1950Expanded sales into southern Greece

   During the early 1950s, Haitoglou Bros extended its sales network into southern Greece and developed a broader national presence.

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5. 1931Moved to a larger Thessaloniki facility

   The company moved from its small workshop in central Thessaloniki to a larger facility on the outskirts of the city.

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6. 1924Company founded as a halva producer

   Eleftherios, Konstantinos and Savvas Haitoglou founded the business in Greece after arriving as refugees from Ikonio in Asia Minor. The initial operation focused on halva.

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A Greek heritage food processor built around sesame products and halva, with a broader confectionery and pantry portfolio. The company combines traditional Greek and Mediterranean food associations with export-oriented packaged-food distribution.

• HalvaSesame confectionery1924

  Halva is the company's founding and most historically distinctive product category. Haitoglou Bros began as a small halva producer in 1924 and later marketed the product under the Macedonian Halva name to distinguish it from halva associated with other Greek regions. Metal-tin packaging supported overseas transport during the company's international expansion.

• TahiniSesame foods

  Tahini is a central extension of Haitoglou Bros' sesame-processing expertise. The sesame paste broadens the company beyond confectionery into an ingredient and spread category used in Greek, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food traditions. It is also part of the portfolio supporting the company's positioning around traditional and health-oriented foods.

• Processed sesame productsFood ingredients

  The company's sesame portfolio includes processed sesame seeds, sesame flour and sesame oil in addition to tahini and halva. These products reflect Haitoglou Bros' role as a major Greek sesame processor and provide ingredient formats for household and food-service use.

• Wafer rollsConfectionery

  Wafer rolls form part of Haitoglou Bros' non-sesame confectionery range. They extend the company's offer into packaged sweet snacks and complement its traditional halva and sesame-bar products.

• Jams and spreadsSweet spreads

  Jams and spreads broaden Haitoglou Bros' presence in the breakfast, pantry and baking-oriented sections of the packaged-food market. The category sits alongside tahini and other sweet products in the company's wider retail portfolio.

• Nut and sesame barsSnack bars

  Nut bars and sesame bars connect the company's traditional seed and confectionery expertise with portable snack formats. They are part of the product family through which Haitoglou Bros serves consumers seeking packaged sweets and sesame-based snacks.

• Turkish delight and dragéeTraditional confectionery

  Turkish delight and dragée products sit within the company's traditional confectionery assortment. Their inclusion demonstrates the breadth of Haitoglou Bros' sweet-goods manufacturing beyond its signature halva range.

• Cake mixesBaking products

  Cake mixes extend the portfolio into home baking and prepared dry ingredients. They represent one of the company's broader packaged-food categories rather than its original sesame-centered product base.

• 1970Developed export markets through diaspora demandStrategy

  Greek communities abroad retained demand for familiar Greek delicacies, while halva packaging in metal tins was suitable for international transport.

  What changed. Haitoglou Bros began targeting Greek diaspora markets in Germany, the United States and Australia before broadening its international customer base.

  Aftermath. The company evolved from a primarily Greek regional producer toward an export-oriented food manufacturer. Approximately 45% to 50% of products are reported to be exported.

  Share of products exported. Approximately 45%-50% (Not specified in the reference material)

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• 1962Established the Kalochori headquarters complexStrategy

  Continued growth required a larger and more permanent industrial base.

  What changed. The company relocated to Kalochori in the Thessaloniki regional unit.

  Aftermath. Kalochori became the company's long-term headquarters, with production, warehousing and office facilities.

  Source
• 1931Scale production through relocationStrategy

  The company's original workshop in central Thessaloniki had become unsuitable for its expanding activity.

  What changed. Haitoglou Bros moved to a larger facility on the outskirts of Thessaloniki.

  Aftermath. The move supported the company's transition from a small halva workshop toward larger-scale manufacturing and distribution.

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• 1995Kidnapping of Alexander HaitoglouControversy

  Alexander Haitoglou, identified as the company's chief executive, was kidnapped and held hostage. His family reportedly paid 260 million Greek drachmas for his release. Vassilis Palaiokostas and his brother Nikos were later convicted and sentenced to 25 years in prison in connection with the kidnapping.

  Source

1. Haitoglou Bros
2. Archived external reference on Haitoglou Bros