Sesame bar-Haitoglou-20x30gr

Our story

Back in 1924, it was a small family business. Today, Haitoglou Family Foods is Europe's largest sesame processor, exporting its wide range of products to over 50 countries. This is how it all began:

1924 Haitoglou company is established Haitoglou family, fleeing Asia Minor, arrives in Thessaloniki, Northern Greece's largest city, as refugees. They carry with them a strong family tradition and a secret recipe for making halva, a popular sesame seed-based confection with outstanding nutritional value. Soon enough, they start a small business dedicated to what they know how to do best: halva.

1932 A new industrial installation is acquired Eight years later, Haitoglou's halva is becoming more and more popular and a new industrial installation is acquired in Damonos Street, between the old and the new railway station of Thessaloniki. The company will flourish here for the next 30 years.

1962 The booming business is being relocated to a new, larger factory The popularity of the mouthwatering confection is such, that Haitoglou family members and their employees back in Damonos Street can no longer keep up with demand. The decision for relocating the company is taken and the headquarters are moved to Kalochori; an area which was about to become the industrial hub of Thessaloniki some years later.

1974 The debut of Macedonian Halva abroad Being renowned all around Greece by now, "Macedonian Halva" is making its debut in the foreign markets, in the first -and completely successful- attempt of the company to begin its exporting activity.

1994 Donation for the construction & operation of the local nursery school Seventy years after its establishment, Haitoglou Family Foods initiates the operation of the new production plant for halva in a 53.819 sq. ft. purpose-built facility. While the company is growing bigger and bigger, the family character of the business does not wear off; Haitoglou brothers show their gratitude to the local community of the area which has welcomed them and their company, and donate for the construction and operation of the local nursery school.

1997 Chocolate Coated Halva is launched As the '90s progress, Haitoglou Family Foods halva has already become a product to be found in the kitchen drawers of every Greek household and the Haitoglou brand, a synonym for premium, healthy and tasteful confectionery. But the family is restless and wants to keep up with the times. A new product range is therefore launched with excitement: the chocolate coated halva. A series of products which was about to make the product market evolve radically and the consumers to crave, once more.

2004 Sesame Oil is produced in Greece for the first time ever In 2004, while Olympics are taking place in Athens, Haitoglou Family Foods had already completed their own, very successful marathon. The operation of a new sesame processing plant begins and Sesame Oil is produced in Greece for the first time ever! Four years later, the company will be awarded with the Superior Taste Award for the Virgin Sesame seed oil by the the International Taste & Quality Institute in Brussels. This unique product is being loved by the consumers who enjoy its nutty flavor in sweet and savory dishes.

2008 Entering the wafer snacks category Smooth, light and crisp was Haitoglou Family Foods new endeavor. And robust! A new series of wafer snacks launched after years of recipes, trials and continuous improvements. Wafer rolls with rich creamy fillings, crunchy crepes as well as fruit ‘n’ nut bars all found their way to the shelves and are thriving since then!

Into the future Haitoglou Family Foods has grown by leaps and bounds. From the first small family business back in 1924 to today, being Europe’s largest sesame processor, we are dedicated in our mission: making all-natural, premium foods with only the finest ingredients that taste good. Keeping a finger on the pulse of what customers need, we will continue to develop new series of products, expand private label goods manufacturing and keep offering what we do best since our foundation: produce foods which are worth talking about!