The professional journey of Panagiotis Stavrakaras is a true success story that began in the 1990s and continues to thrive to this day. For the purposes of our new Business Story, Mr. Stavrakaras opened the doors of his company to share with us the story behind this successful path and how his collaboration with ena Development Consultants played a key role in achieving his business goals.
The journey of “Agrothraki” and the family of Panagiotis Stavrakaras in the business world began long before the company took on its current name—over 45 years ago—when his father decided to enter the field of animal feed production and distribution, using barley, wheat, and corn. Panagiotis himself began working in the business as his father’s successor in 1995, after completing his military service.
Today, the company, headquartered in Genisea, Xanthi—strategically chosen as its main area of operation—also maintains additional facilities and silos in Avato, Nea Kessani, and Selino, all within the Xanthi region. Over the years, it has expanded its activities to include the trade of fertilizers, agrochemicals, seeds, and crop protection products. What is particularly impressive is that 50% of the grain volume it manages is now transformed into products intended for human consumption, such as barley for beer production, corn for corn snacks, and wheat for pasta and flour milling. This significantly sets Agrothraki apart from its competitors, positioning it as an industry pioneer and a leading company within its region.
Agrothraki plays a vital role not only in the region of Thrace but beyond, as it handles approximately 70,000 tons of grain annually, significantly contributing to the growth of the local agricultural sector. Beyond the numbers, the company supports the people of Xanthi by providing jobs to 15 families in the wider area. However, as Mr. Stavrakaras emphasizes, the company’s primary contribution lies in the fact that it doesn’t simply trade agricultural products—it adds value to them, especially those intended for human consumption. In doing so, it not only strengthens the agricultural economy but also creates high-value products that are both high-quality and safe for consumers.
At the same time, the company stands out as a socially conscious business in the wider Xanthi region, actively contributing to the local community by supporting initiatives related to society, health, and sports. This comes as no surprise, given that Mr. Stavrakaras himself— a former athlete and current president of the Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Basketball Clubs Association—remains deeply committed to the values of integrity and collaboration, shaped by his long-standing involvement in the world of sports.
Like any business in our country, Agrothraki has faced various challenges, primarily stemming from bureaucracy and legislation, as well as the unique difficulties of operating in the region of Thrace.
Panagiotis Stavrakaras: “The challenge of this region lies in its geographical remoteness, which means that transporting products from here involves high costs. We are a border region; however, this issue can be resolved through infrastructure projects—railway lines, internal freight train routes, and the upgrading of ports.”
Despite the obstacles, Mr. Stavrakaras continues to believe in the value of entrepreneurship in Greece—and in the region of Thrace in particular—and remains dedicated to the growth of his business. As he himself states, his driving force to keep moving forward each day is his family, the vision and goals he has set, and his deep love for what he does.
Panagiotis Stavrakaras: “My advice to young people who want to start a business in our region is to love what they do and to have enthusiasm, vision, and a solid plan. Greece is a magical country—any entrepreneur who truly wants to stand out can succeed with persistence and, above all, patience.”
Among the company’s top priorities—reflecting its core philosophy—is ensuring that its products contribute to human health and safety, while also showing a strong commitment to the pressing issue of climate change.
Panagiotis Stavrakaras: “The greatest lesson I’ve learned as an entrepreneur is that to be successful, you must be fast and flexible. You need to have developed mechanisms that allow you to adapt to change in this constantly evolving natural and business environment.”
To ensure his business is well-prepared for any significant changes affecting the sector—such as extreme weather events, natural disasters, or climate change—Mr. Stavrakaras strategically and carefully selects his partners and actively participates in research and innovative projects. In fact, his company is currently piloting a program that evaluates the suitability of specific corn varieties for malt production used in beer brewing.
Panagiotis Stavrakaras: “The partnerships we have developed over the years with major and well-established companies provide us with fast access to essential information, allowing us to adapt more quickly to any changes. For example, our partners have already begun producing new hybrid varieties to address climate change, which—through the shifting of seasons—has a significant impact on our work. Situations like these can only be tackled with the support of scientists, which is why I strongly believe in and invest as much as I can in research and innovation.”
Panagiotis Stavrakaras, by implementing a strategy of growth and continuous improvement, actively seeks out and utilizes every available funding tool to achieve his personal and professional goals—while also making a meaningful contribution to the development of his local community.
In this endeavor, a valuable ally—as he himself emphasizes—has been ena Development Consultants, as his personal vision for Agrothraki S.A. and the region in which it operates aligns perfectly with the philosophy of the enateam family. Through an excellent collaboration with the ena team, Panagiotis Stavrakaras has successfully leveraged various funding programs from 2016 to the present day.
Panagiotis Stavrakaras: “What I’ve gained from my collaboration with ena Development Consultants has been excellent. The ena team was there for me whenever I needed them—to guide and support me. Moreover, every piece of advice they gave me was exceptionally accurate. For any business, the most important thing when trying to solve a problem is to receive the right guidance—otherwise, the loss of time can be immense.”
In 2016, Agrothraki S.A., in collaboration with the Development Law team and Nikos Charalampogiannis, Coordinator of Development Law Consulting Services at ena Development Consultants, was included in Development Law 4399/2016 for the modernization and expansion of its grain drying and storage facility in Genisea, Xanthi. Under this scheme, the company received funding for various necessary construction works, as well as for mechanical and technological equipment.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Stavrakaras never stopped seeking ways to grow his business. In this context, in 2020 he submitted applications to two funding programs under the Operational Programme “Eastern Macedonia and Thrace 2014–2020.”
In collaboration with the SME Competitiveness Sector team and Giannis Kaltsas, Development Consultant for Development Law Services at ena Development Consultants, an investment plan by the company was submitted and approved under the action “Support for the modernization–upgrade of existing businesses, with priority given to sectors of the Regional Smart Specialization Strategy (Action 3d.5-6.1)” in the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, as part of the Operational Programme “Eastern Macedonia and Thrace 2014–2020.”
The funding covered the complete installation of storage silos equipped with state-of-the-art sensors for wholesale trade purposes. With the support of the program, the company carried out construction works, acquired three storage silos with a total capacity of approximately 10,000 tons, and purchased mechanical equipment.
The company was also included in the research funding action “Investment Plans for Innovation, Research and Development of Enterprises in the Sectors of the Regional Smart Specialization Strategy (RIS3), under the Operational Programme ‘Eastern Macedonia and Thrace 2014–2020’” with the project titled: “Development of innovative animal feeds with antimicrobial and/or growth-promoting activity from edible herbs rich in bioactive compounds.”
The project was implemented in collaboration with the Laboratory of Design and Process Analysis of the School of Chemical Engineering at the National Technical University of Athens, under the supervision of Professor Magda Krokida. For the application submission and the implementation of the investment plan, Mr. Stavrakaras’s company worked with the consulting team of ena Development Consultants, led by Stella Bazdani, Development Consultant for the Public Sector & European Programs. The project stood out as a model example and will be showcased among other successful innovation initiatives as part of the promotion of the Operational Programme “Eastern Macedonia & Thrace 2014–2020.”
Additionally, in collaboration with the #enaevents team, Agrothraki S.A. designed and organized two public information events at #enahub, in May 2022 and January 2023, to disseminate the results of the project.
The results of the project have significant practical applications, and the company plans to implement them in the near future. Although Mr. Stavrakaras acknowledges that this process takes time, he expresses full confidence in the impressive long-term outcomes. One example of the project’s results is the use of oregano oil in animal feed—a herb that has proven highly effective in preventing and treating animal diseases, thereby reducing the need for pharmaceutical treatments.
Panagiotis Stavrakaras: “I would absolutely participate in a funding program again—this kind of support is extremely important for any business, provided that you choose the right partners, both internal and external: the right engineer, accountant, auditor... As long as you have the right team, funding is a blessing—and anyone who says otherwise is not being honest.”
The company’s future plans place continuous growth and a strong focus on innovation at the forefront. Upcoming initiatives include the introduction of new product lines in animal feed, the development of new partnerships—particularly in the area of products for human consumption—and the implementation of research results to create innovative and enhanced products.
Panagiotis Stavrakaras: “My most important partner from the beginning until today has been my family. The support I received from all of them helped me get to where I am, along with the foundation I inherited from my father—the principles, values, integrity, and reliability he passed down to me. I owe a great deal of who I am today to my father.”
The 22nd Business Story was created with the contribution of Stavros Amoiras, Director of Strategic Planning & Development and co-founder of ena Development Consultants, along with Sofia Argiriadou, Maria Kariofilaki, and Katerina Kananidou from the company’s Marketing team.
We would like to thank Panagiotis Stavrakaras for the time he dedicated to us, the warm hospitality at the premises of Agrothraki S.A., and the very engaging discussion that took place.
Contact Information
Agrothraki S.A. – Stavrakaras Panagiotis
Genisea, Xanthi, Greece
+30 2541081812
