Tsafaras has been robbed twice, with thieves stealing more than a tonne of his olives in one incident last month. Greek police confirmed to Reuters that there is a spike in thefts of olives and olive oil across the country this year. Greece is the world's third-biggest producer of olive oil behind Italy and Spain, which have seen similar incidents. The decline in output has doubled olive oil wholesale prices to 8-9 euros per litre, according to government officials. Retail prices have reached up to 14 euros, making the crop an appealing target for thieves.

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Persons: Louisa Gouliamaki, Panagiotis Tsafaras, Tsafaras, Dimitris Plakonouris, Plakonouris, Panagiotis Foudas, Lefteris Papadimas, Mark Porter Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Sesklo, Greece, Filiatra, Italy, Spain, ​