Within a few months, two water bottling companies “shut down” and the market attributed this development to increased operating costs, mainly due to the heavy burden of energy costs, as well as packaging materials, especially plastic. Rising operating costs were effectively a scapegoat following the pandemic, which killed off tourism and food service for months, the industries from which most of the water bottling companies’ revenues come. In fact, there are many who believe that there would have been more “lockouts” in the sector if, at the same time, some small companies were not bought by large companies in this sector.

The companies that have started to suspend their activities are “Athos Bottling”, located in the Kalives Poligirou area of ​​Chalkidiki, and “Natural Mineral Water Samarina” with facilities in the village of the same name Grevena and a logistics department in Larissa. The first ceased operation on December 31, 2022 and the possibility of its resumption in the coming years seems unlikely, while the second ceased operation in mid-August last year. In fact, the exclusive representatives of the company, which had a wide distribution network, were suddenly informed of this development by e-mail. According to Kathimerini, the possibility of opening them for Easter is being considered, but the chances of this possibility seem to be slim.

Seven companies produce 80% of domestic production. This sector is attracting investor interest due to the high rate of return it has in the catering and hospitality industries.

The Afon Bottling company began its activity in 1989 with the production of Afon table water, while it has its own facilities in Halkidiki with a total area of ​​8000 sq.m. Its water has also received honorable mentions in the international competition in Paris, while its 2021 sales of 1.94 million euros and a loss of 170,388.60 euros, according to the latest published balance sheet. Its total liabilities as at 31 December 2021 were €1.43 million, of which €807,390.34 are short-term. The operation of Samarina water began in 1992. It is worth noting that this is a natural mineral water, and industry representatives even from competing companies say that this is one of the best natural mineral waters. The information that they wanted to put a “lock” on the Cretan water bottling company in the area of ​​Sitia is not confirmed (it is the company “Siteyako Nero – Refreshing Drinks Zargiannakis”), as the owner of the company “Kathimerini” said that the factory Closed for a short period of time due to renovations.

However, at the same time, the bottled water sector is attracting investor interest due to the high rate of return it has in the HORECA channel. In 2021, Chitos ABEE (Zagori), considered the market leader, acquired Zireia EPE in Stymphalia, Vikos made a similar step a few years ago, and at the end of 2021, Lux Company acquired the well-known non-alcoholic drinks after an auction 42.34 % of the shares of Dirfis, a company on the way to recovery. In 2020, the Sarantis brothers’ Hellenic Dairies acquired Doumbia.

Most domestic bottled water production is concentrated in a small number of companies, with seven companies estimated to cover approximately 80% of total production in 2021, according to a recent ICAP CRIF industry study. It is estimated that bottled water in our country increased by 8% in 2021 compared to 2020, and in 2022, it is estimated that it increased by about 6% compared to 2021.