The Ministry of Rural Development and Food is carrying out intensive and extraordinary controls throughout the market in view of the Easter period, seeking to prevent irregularities and enhance consumer protection, as well as to ensure the smooth and orderly operation of the market in a period of increased commercial activity.
The Easter period is perennially one of the most demanding for the food market, as consumption increases significantly and the movement of products intensifies at all stages of the supply chain. In this context, the competent services of the Ministry are implementing an extensive plan of controls, which covers from production and processing to the distribution of products to the final consumer, with the aim of ensuring that the prescribed rules are observed at every stage.
“The Ministry of Rural Development and Food is intensifying controls ahead of Easter, in order to ensure legality, consumer protection and the proper functioning of the market,” Spiros Protopsaltis, Secretary General of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, told the Athens-Macedonian News Agency.
He stressed that the presence of control mechanisms is constant and reinforced, aiming to prevent violations before they take place. “Citizens should know that the competent services are in the field every day, with systematic and targeted checks throughout the entire chain of movement and distribution of products. Our aim is to prevent irregularities and enhance consumer confidence during this critical period of increased demand,” he added.
The scope of the checks is broad and covers all products that are in high demand during the Easter festive season. Particular emphasis is placed on wholesale and retail businesses, farmers’ markets, packing and packaging plants, as well as on entry and exit points in the country.
In addition, checks are also carried out at key points of the road network, depending on the data evaluated each time by the competent services, in order to ensure the correct movement of products.
These checks are carried out with increased frequency, which is reflected in the official data of the Ministry.
According to the data of the Ministry of Agriculture, a total of 1,777 inspections were carried out by the General Directorate of Food and the General Directorate of Veterinary Medicine in the first quarter of 2026. This number is more than double, showing an increase of 120% compared to the same period in 2025, when 807 inspections were carried out.
This increase in checks shows the authorities’ willingness to strengthen market surveillance, particularly in periods of increased consumption, where there may be instances of obscenity or misleading consumers. The intensified presence of control mechanisms acts as a deterrent to infringing behaviour and helps to maintain a healthy competitive environment.
The results of the audits also demonstrate the importance of intensifying audit activity. From the audits carried out in the first quarter of 2026, more than 300 non-compliances have been recorded, and in 122 cases recommendations were addressed to companies to correct the identified discrepancies. In cases where this is deemed necessary, the prescribed procedure for the imposition of administrative sanctions and fines is also initiated, in accordance with the current institutional framework.
In March, the month in which preparations for the Easter market peaked, the control activity was particularly intense. In particular, 220 checks were carried out by the Food Quality and Safety Directorate, while a further 76 checks were carried out by the competent veterinary services, confirming the coordinated mobilisation of all the bodies involved.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management noted that controls will continue with undiminished intensity throughout the Easter season, with the aim of protecting public health, ensuring product quality and enhancing transparency in the market. At the same time, it is stressed that the cooperation of businesses and their compliance with the current framework is a basic prerequisite for the proper functioning of the market and the strengthening of consumer confidence.
Finally, the competent authorities stress that both professionals and consumers should be particularly vigilant during this period, pointing out that compliance with the rules and a responsible attitude on the part of all parties involved are key to ensuring a smooth and safe Easter market.
