Athens AgriBusiness Forum 2025

AgriΒusiness Forum 2025 | 8th edition

The 8th International AgriBusiness Forum will be held on November 27, 2025, at the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and in cooperation with CSR Hellas. As global disruptions challenge food systems, this pivotal edition delves into the hazards from the current geopolitical & environmental landscapes, while seeking solutions on how we can enhance competitiveness, strengthen socioeconomic resilience, and ensure food security for the future. A diverse assembly of scientists, businesses, policymakers, and producers aim to spotlight the transformations needed across the agrifood value chain, being food security & resilience, responsible production & consumption, financial ecosystems, AI & digital transformation, Climate crisis & Energy transition, and the interconnection of agriculture with culture and tourism.

  • In-person participation with a registration fee. Online attendance is complimentary. Registration is required for all means of participation
REGISTER

Speakers

Mr. Cobi Bitton

CEO, Israel-Greece Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Dr. Konstantinos Tsimpoukas

Professor Agribusiness Management, Agricultural University of Athens

Dr. Ioannis Tzortzis

BoD Member, Regulatory Authority for Energy, Waste & Water (RAEEY)

Dr. Demetrios Kouretas

Governor of Thessaly

VIEW ALL SPEAKERS

Conference Agenda

Thursday, November 27, 2025

09.00-09:30

Registrations

09.30-09.45

Welcome remarks

09.45-10.00

Field Reflections – The impact of AgriBusiness Forum

AgriBusiness Forum footprint since 2018; Key takeaways from Thessaly AgriBusiness Forum 2025

10.00-10.30

Fireside chat

Food Security in times of rising geopolitical risks

10.30-12.00

Chapter-A: The agri-food geopolitics in Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean

National policies against food autonomy, trading (imports/exports), preservation of biodiversity/livestock

12.00-12.15

Break

12.15-13.30

Chapter-Β: The impact of global geopolitics to food security

Use of water resources; green energy transition; new crops; tariffs; geospatial data

13.30-13.45

Break

13:45-15.15

Chapter-C: Value Chains, Responsible Production & Consumption

Agrifood–Culture–Tourism (gastronomy, experiences); Contract farming; circular economy; waste management (food waste, chemicals); Health-Nutrition (Mediterranean diet, zoonoses, obesity)

15:15-15:30

Break

15:30-17:00

Chapter-D: Innovation, Digital Transformation, AI, Best Practices

Smart farming; new digital tools; climate intelligence; The helix of academia–farming–business; skills development

17:00-17:15

Break

17:15-18:30

Chapter-E: Financial Flows, Competitiveness, Risk Management

CAP post-2027; Public/private insurance; EU & national funding programs; Financial instruments; Agri-food businesses’ strategies

18:30-19:00

Sum-up & conclusions

19:00-20:00

Networking reception

20:00-22:00

Speakers’ farewell dinner

By invitation only for speakers, partners, sponsors

Friday, November 28, 2025

10.00-14.00

Field visit programme

Technical visit to agri & food facility

Sponsors

Supporters

Host

Steering Partners

Scientific Partners

Auspices

Organizer

Venue Information

Conference Venue

Athens Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Travel Information

Getting to/from Athens

ABF2025 ATHENS

About Thessaly AgriBusiness Forum 2025

Thessaly AgriBusiness Forum 2025, entitled “The Future of Thessaly agriculture in Green & Digital Era”, will be held on 30 September-2 October 2025 at the Municipal Art Gallery of Larissa, in cooperation with the Region of Thessaly and the Municipality of Larissa. It will feature 9 sessions and 60 speakers from Greece & beyond, gathering businesses, farmers, cooperatives, academia, and policymakers to delve into meaningful dialogue & debates for the future of Thessaly’s agriculture.

REGISTER

Speakers

HE. Nahida Rahman Shumona

Ambassador of the People's Republic of Bangladesh

Ms. Ioanna-Alexandra Saitis

CEO Intercomm Foods SA, General Secretary of Association of Thessalian Enterprises & Industries

Dr. Kyriakos Pozrikidis

Managing Director, TIF-Helexpo

HE. Timur Sultangozhin

Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Greece

VIEW ALL SPEAKERS

Agenda

Tuesday 30/9/2025

13.30-14.00

Welcome remarks

photoDr. Demetrios Kouretas

Governor of Thessaly

photoMr. Giannis Balakakis

Chair AgriBusiness Forum
14.00-15.30

Chapter-1: Financial Instruments, Primary sector & Tourism, Exports

Agrifood & tourism integration; Branding maturity; SMEs access to global markets; Agricultural inputs/environmental safety; Funding and Banks

photoMr. George Pontikas

President HCPA, Managing Director Syngenta Hellas

photoMs. Anastasia Adamopoulou

Vice Governor Tourism, Region of Thessaly

photoMr. Dimitris Tsetsilas

Vice Governor Primary Sector & Agricultural Economy, Region of Thessaly

photoMr. Alexandros Dimitrakopoulos

Mandate Manager Greece-Cyprus, European Investment Fund

photoDr. Kyriakos Pozrikidis

Managing Director, TIF-Helexpo

Moderator

photoDr. Angeliki Kavga

Professor, Agricultural Science, University of Patras

Moderator

photoMr. Anthony Papayannides

Journalist
15.30-16.00

Break

16.00-17.30

Chapter-2: Value chains’ responsible & sustainable entrepreneurship

Chambers-Associations and development; Financing-Entrepreneurship & ESGs; Clusters & incubators; Human/labor workforce upskilling & reskilling; Key-players’ strategies

photoMs. Alexandra Palli-Giannakopoulou

Chair of the Board, CSR HELLAS | Chair at Kithairon Farms S.A.

photoMr. Christos Giakouvis

President , Chamber of Larissa

photoMr. Panos Tournavitis

CEO & Executive member of the BoD, Karditsa Cooperative Bank LLC

photoMs. Ioanna-Alexandra Saitis

CEO Intercomm Foods SA, General Secretary of Association of Thessalian Enterprises & Industries

photoMs. Ismini Papakirillou

Chief Executive Officer, Hellenic Development Bank

photoMr. Stelios Sarantis

President Hellenic Dairies SA, BoD member Association of Industries of Thessaly & Central Greece

Moderator

photoMr. Xenophon Kappas

General Director, Captain Vassilis & Carmen Konstantakopoulos Foundation

Moderator

photoMr. Sotiris Polyzos

General Manager, TRT News
17.30-18.00

Break

18.00-19.30

Chapter-3: Executive Roundtable “Policy talks”

Parties’ priorities for Thessaly’s agricultural sector (subsidies, irrigation, water management, cooperatives); Rural entrepreneurship, demographic regeneration; Farmers’ access to markets, knowledge and technology; Long-term vision & strategy for Greece’s agriculture

Panelists are solely from political parties having served at State’s administration

photoMr. Christos Kellas

Deputy Minister of Agriculture Rural Development & Food

photoMr. Sokratis Famellos

President, SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance

Moderator

photoMr. Anthony Papayannides

Journalist

Moderator

photoMr. Sotiris Polyzos

General Manager, TRT News
19:30 - 20:30

Delegates' networking reception at the venue

21.00-22.30

Speakers & Partners off-site welcome reception (by invitation only)

Wednesday 1/10/2025

10.00-10.30

Welcome remarks

photoMr. Giannis Balakakis

Chair AgriBusiness Forum

photoMr. Athanasios Mamakos

Mayor of Larissa
10.30-12.00

Chapter-4: Transformative Innovation: Towards a development roadmap for Thessaly AgriFood Sector

Smart Specialization; Agrifood Complex; Regional Innovation Policy; Systemic Approaches; Multilevel Governance

photoDr. Stathis Arapostathis

Professor, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens

photoMr. Panayiotis Kalfountzos

Managing Director, Thessaly Agricultural Cooperative ThesGi

photoMr. Antonis Politis

Director Communications, Agricultural Cooperative of Zagora-Pelion

photoDr. Dimitris Goussios

Professor, Planning & Rural Development

photoDr. Dimitris Vlachostergios

Director, Institute of Industrial & Forage Crops, ELGO-DIMITRA

Moderator

photoDr. Yiannis Tolias

Managing Partner, Innovatia Systems

Moderator

photoDr. Dimitrios Stavridis

Director General of Agricultural Economy & Veterinary Services, Thessaly Region
12.00-12.30

Break

12.30-14.00

Chapter-5: Innovation, Synergies, New Technologies in primary production

Added value products; The triple helix between farming-academia-business sectors; AI & digital technologies from production to consumption; The future of precision farming

photoMr. Vaios Ganis

Winemaker, Vaios Ganis Organic Wines

photoMr. Geert Wilms

Director, LIB/ZLTO (South Holland Farmers Organization)

photoDr. Fotios Tekos

CEO, FoodOxys

photoMr. Dimitris Rousseas

President Hellenic Fertilizers Association, General Manager ΚNE BRANDT

photoMr. Nikos Gousios

President, Enipeas Cooperative

Moderator

photoMr. Xenophon Kappas

General Director, Captain Vassilis & Carmen Konstantakopoulos Foundation

Moderator

photoDr. Nikolaos Asproulis

Dpt. Director, Volos Academy for Theological Studies
14.00-14.30

Break

14.30-16.00

Chapter-6: Livestock & Dairy industry, Biosafety

Animal diseases & biosafety; Illegal imports; Livestock subsidies; Feed resilience in times of crises; High-quality animal products & exports

photoDr. Ioannis Kaimakamis

Cattle Breeding Farmer, Agribusiness Consultant-Grant Thornton | Executive Vice President OPEKEPE

photoMr. Alexandros Triantafyllou

Vice-President VIOZOKAT SA

photoMs. Ioanna Karra

Breeder & Co-Founder, Stalos farm

photoMr. Yiannis Bouras

President, Hellenic Pig Farmers Association

photoMs. Vicki Douma

CEO Douma Vital Farm | Bio Breeding Farmer

photoMr. Panagiotis Tsiampalis

Operations Director, Veterinary Public Health, Region of Thessaly

Moderator

photoDr. Angeliki Kavga

Professor, Agricultural Science, University of Patras

Moderator

photoMr. Anthony Papayannides

Journalist
16.00-16.30

Break

16.30-18.00

Chapter-7: Water management, Climate, Environment, Energy

Measures to address water scarcity in Thessaly; Climate crisis, agricultural production, adaptation; Critical infrastructure for Thessaly agriculture: Circular economy-energy autonomy in agricultural facilities

photoDr. Theofanis Gemtos

Professor Em., Farm Mechanization, Thessaly University

photoDr. Konstantinos Tsimpoukas

Professor Agribusiness Management, Agricultural University of Athens

photoDr. Nicholas Dercas

Professor Agricultural University of Athens, President Thessaly Water Management Organization SA

photoMr. Vasileios Moraitis

Operations Manager, APOSTEIROSI SA (c/o Helector-Motor Oil group), BoD member Association of Industries of Thessaly & Central Greece

photoDr. Alex Papachatzis

Head, Dep. Agricultural Agrotechnology, Thessaly University

Moderator

photoMr. George Pontikas

President HCPA, Managing Director Syngenta Hellas

Moderator

photoDr. Athanasios Loukas

Professor of Hydrology & Water Resources, Aristotle University
18.00-18.15

Break

18.15-19.30

Chapter-8: Executive Roundtable “Thessaly meets the world”

Thessaly’s profile abroad; Invest in know-how transferability to Thessaly; EU green transition and Thessaly; Cross-border opportunities & cooperation; Thessaly agrifood connection with high-quality tourism; Labor workforce

photoDr. Demetrios Kouretas

Governor of Thessaly

photoHE. Arif Mammadov

Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Greece

photoHE. Nahida Rahman Shumona

Ambassador of the People's Republic of Bangladesh

photoHE. Timur Sultangozhin

Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Greece

Moderator

photoMr. Giannis Balakakis

Chair AgriBusiness Forum

Moderator

photoMr. Anthony Papayannides

Journalist
19.30-20.30

End of the programme, Delegates' networking reception at the venue

21.00-22.30

Speakers & Partners off-site welcome reception (by invitation only)

Thursday 2/10/2025

10.30-15.00

Field visit programme

The technical fiield-visit will take place at Enipeas Agricultural Cooperative, Farsala
For the detailed program and information for participation, visit online PRACTICAL INFORMATION - FIELD VISIT

Remarks

  • Participation: with a registration fee. E-registration and accreditation are required
  • Setup: Panel discussion. Audience setup: theater
  • Official language: Greek with simultaneous translation to/from English

Platinum Sponsors

Sponsors

Supporters

Steering Partners

Expertise Partners

Auspices

Co-Organizor

Organizor

Venue Information

Conference Venue

Municipal Art Gallery of Larissa

Travel Information

Getting to/from Larissa

Thessaly AgriBusiness Forum 2025

About Thessaly AgriBusiness Forum 2025

Thessaly AgriBusiness Forum 2025 entitled “The Future of Thessaly agriculture in the Green & Digital Era” will be held on 30/9-2/10/2025 at the Municipal Art Gallery of Larissa, be consisted of 8 high caliber sessions with 40 speakers from Greece & beyond be addressed to producers, cooperatives, businesses, academia, & policymakers, and be supported by the Region of Thessaly, Larissa Municipality, the Chamber of Larissa, the Association of Thessaly & Central Greece Industries, Larissa Industries Association, and is under the Auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

REGISTER

Speakers

Ms. Ismini Papakirillou

Chief Executive Officer, Hellenic Development Bank

Mr. Christos Kellas

Deputy Minister of Agriculture Rural Development & Food

Mr. Xenophon Kappas

General Director, Captain Vassilis & Carmen Konstantakopoulos Foundation

Mr. Geert Wilms

Director, LIB/ZLTO (South Holland Farmers Organization)

VIEW ALL SPEAKERS

Agenda

Tuesday 30/9/2025

13.30-14.00

Welcome remarks

photoDr. Demetrios Kouretas

Governor of Thessaly

photoMr. Giannis Balakakis

Chair AgriBusiness Forum
14.00-15.30

Chapter-1: Financial Instruments, Primary sector & Tourism, Exports

Agrifood & tourism integration; Branding maturity; SMEs access to global markets; Agricultural inputs/environmental safety; Funding and Banks

photoMr. George Pontikas

President HCPA, Managing Director Syngenta Hellas

photoMs. Anastasia Adamopoulou

Vice Governor Tourism, Region of Thessaly

photoMr. Dimitris Tsetsilas

Vice Governor Primary Sector & Agricultural Economy, Region of Thessaly

photoMr. Alexandros Dimitrakopoulos

Mandate Manager Greece-Cyprus, European Investment Fund

photoDr. Kyriakos Pozrikidis

Managing Director, TIF-Helexpo

Moderator

photoDr. Angeliki Kavga

Professor, Agricultural Science, University of Patras

Moderator

photoMr. Anthony Papayannides

Journalist
15.30-16.00

Break

16.00-17.30

Chapter-2: Value chains’ responsible & sustainable entrepreneurship

Chambers-Associations and development; Financing-Entrepreneurship & ESGs; Clusters & incubators; Human/labor workforce upskilling & reskilling; Key-players’ strategies

photoMs. Alexandra Palli-Giannakopoulou

Chair of the Board, CSR HELLAS | Chair at Kithairon Farms S.A.

photoMr. Christos Giakouvis

President , Chamber of Larissa

photoMr. Panos Tournavitis

CEO & Executive member of the BoD, Karditsa Cooperative Bank LLC

photoMs. Ioanna-Alexandra Saitis

CEO Intercomm Foods SA, General Secretary of Association of Thessalian Enterprises & Industries

photoMs. Ismini Papakirillou

Chief Executive Officer, Hellenic Development Bank

photoMr. Stelios Sarantis

President Hellenic Dairies SA, BoD member Association of Industries of Thessaly & Central Greece

Moderator

photoMr. Xenophon Kappas

General Director, Captain Vassilis & Carmen Konstantakopoulos Foundation

Moderator

photoMr. Sotiris Polyzos

General Manager, TRT News
17.30-18.00

Break

18.00-19.30

Chapter-3: Executive Roundtable “Policy talks”

Parties’ priorities for Thessaly’s agricultural sector (subsidies, irrigation, water management, cooperatives); Rural entrepreneurship, demographic regeneration; Farmers’ access to markets, knowledge and technology; Long-term vision & strategy for Greece’s agriculture

Panelists are solely from political parties having served at State’s administration

photoMr. Christos Kellas

Deputy Minister of Agriculture Rural Development & Food

photoMr. Sokratis Famellos

President, SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance

Moderator

photoMr. Anthony Papayannides

Journalist

Moderator

photoMr. Sotiris Polyzos

General Manager, TRT News
19:30 - 20:30

Delegates' networking reception at the venue

21.00-22.30

Speakers & Partners off-site welcome reception (by invitation only)

Wednesday 1/10/2025

10.00-10.30

Welcome remarks

photoMr. Giannis Balakakis

Chair AgriBusiness Forum

photoMr. Athanasios Mamakos

Mayor of Larissa
10.30-12.00

Chapter-4: Transformative Innovation: Towards a development roadmap for Thessaly AgriFood Sector

Smart Specialization; Agrifood Complex; Regional Innovation Policy; Systemic Approaches; Multilevel Governance

photoDr. Stathis Arapostathis

Professor, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens

photoMr. Panayiotis Kalfountzos

Managing Director, Thessaly Agricultural Cooperative ThesGi

photoMr. Antonis Politis

Director Communications, Agricultural Cooperative of Zagora-Pelion

photoDr. Dimitris Goussios

Professor, Planning & Rural Development

photoDr. Dimitris Vlachostergios

Director, Institute of Industrial & Forage Crops, ELGO-DIMITRA

Moderator

photoDr. Yiannis Tolias

Managing Partner, Innovatia Systems

Moderator

photoDr. Dimitrios Stavridis

Director General of Agricultural Economy & Veterinary Services, Thessaly Region
12.00-12.30

Break

12.30-14.00

Chapter-5: Innovation, Synergies, New Technologies in primary production

Added value products; The triple helix between farming-academia-business sectors; AI & digital technologies from production to consumption; The future of precision farming

photoMr. Vaios Ganis

Winemaker, Vaios Ganis Organic Wines

photoMr. Geert Wilms

Director, LIB/ZLTO (South Holland Farmers Organization)

photoDr. Fotios Tekos

CEO, FoodOxys

photoMr. Dimitris Rousseas

President Hellenic Fertilizers Association, General Manager ΚNE BRANDT

photoMr. Nikos Gousios

President, Enipeas Cooperative

Moderator

photoMr. Xenophon Kappas

General Director, Captain Vassilis & Carmen Konstantakopoulos Foundation

Moderator

photoDr. Nikolaos Asproulis

Dpt. Director, Volos Academy for Theological Studies
14.00-14.30

Break

14.30-16.00

Chapter-6: Livestock & Dairy industry, Biosafety

Animal diseases & biosafety; Illegal imports; Livestock subsidies; Feed resilience in times of crises; High-quality animal products & exports

photoDr. Ioannis Kaimakamis

Cattle Breeding Farmer, Agribusiness Consultant-Grant Thornton | Executive Vice President OPEKEPE

photoMr. Alexandros Triantafyllou

Vice-President VIOZOKAT SA

photoMs. Ioanna Karra

Breeder & Co-Founder, Stalos farm

photoMr. Yiannis Bouras

President, Hellenic Pig Farmers Association

photoMs. Vicki Douma

CEO Douma Vital Farm | Bio Breeding Farmer

photoMr. Panagiotis Tsiampalis

Operations Director, Veterinary Public Health, Region of Thessaly

Moderator

photoDr. Angeliki Kavga

Professor, Agricultural Science, University of Patras

Moderator

photoMr. Anthony Papayannides

Journalist
16.00-16.30

Break

16.30-18.00

Chapter-7: Water management, Climate, Environment, Energy

Measures to address water scarcity in Thessaly; Climate crisis, agricultural production, adaptation; Critical infrastructure for Thessaly agriculture: Circular economy-energy autonomy in agricultural facilities

photoDr. Theofanis Gemtos

Professor Em., Farm Mechanization, Thessaly University

photoDr. Konstantinos Tsimpoukas

Professor Agribusiness Management, Agricultural University of Athens

photoDr. Nicholas Dercas

Professor Agricultural University of Athens, President Thessaly Water Management Organization SA

photoMr. Vasileios Moraitis

Operations Manager, APOSTEIROSI SA (c/o Helector-Motor Oil group), BoD member Association of Industries of Thessaly & Central Greece

photoDr. Alex Papachatzis

Head, Dep. Agricultural Agrotechnology, Thessaly University

Moderator

photoMr. George Pontikas

President HCPA, Managing Director Syngenta Hellas

Moderator

photoDr. Athanasios Loukas

Professor of Hydrology & Water Resources, Aristotle University
18.00-18.15

Break

18.15-19.30

Chapter-8: Executive Roundtable “Thessaly meets the world”

Thessaly’s profile abroad; Invest in know-how transferability to Thessaly; EU green transition and Thessaly; Cross-border opportunities & cooperation; Thessaly agrifood connection with high-quality tourism; Labor workforce

photoDr. Demetrios Kouretas

Governor of Thessaly

photoHE. Arif Mammadov

Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Greece

photoHE. Nahida Rahman Shumona

Ambassador of the People's Republic of Bangladesh

photoHE. Timur Sultangozhin

Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Greece

Moderator

photoMr. Giannis Balakakis

Chair AgriBusiness Forum

Moderator

photoMr. Anthony Papayannides

Journalist
19.30-20.30

End of the programme, Delegates' networking reception at the venue

21.00-22.30

Speakers & Partners off-site welcome reception (by invitation only)

Thursday 2/10/2025

10.30-15.00

Field visit programme

The technical fiield-visit will take place at Enipeas Agricultural Cooperative, Farsala
For the detailed program and information for participation, visit online PRACTICAL INFORMATION - FIELD VISIT

Remarks

  • Participation: with a registration fee. E-registration and accreditation are required
  • Official language: Greek with simultaneous translation to/from English

Platinum Sponsors

Sponsors

Supporters

Steering Partners

Contributors

Auspices

Co-Organizor

Organizor

Venue Information

Conference Venue

Municipal Art Gallery of Larissa

Travel Information

Getting to/from Larissa