Cyprus government presents halloumi PDO compliance strategy

On October 13, 2026, the Cyprus Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment presented a 10-point plan to the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee aimed at ensuring that halloumi meets its Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) requirements by the July 2029 deadline. Ministry Director General Andreas Grigoriou identified the product as a "national asset" generating over €350 million in annual exports, emphasizing the need to align production with EU standards while maintaining export volumes.

A central challenge discussed is the requirement for goat and sheep milk to comprise at least 50% of the halloumi content by 2029. To support this transition, the government is implementing measures to boost domestic livestock production and reduce dependency on milk powder. Additionally, the State General Laboratory announced that a new testing method to detect illicit milk powder in halloumi production will be finalized and deployed by the end of 2026.

Committee Chairman Giannakis Gavriel expressed skepticism, noting that industry problems have persisted since 2014 despite repeated promises of reform. He questioned the feasibility of the 50% milk target and raised concerns regarding current production costs and the effectiveness of the ministry's regulatory oversight. The government continues its efforts to balance strict quality compliance with the economic sustainability of the national dairy sector.