Cyprus halloumi PDO milk quota remains at 51 percent for 2029

The quota requiring 51% goat and sheep milk in PDO-certified halloumi will remain unchanged through 2029, according to Neofytos Neofytou, President of the 'Voice of Livestock Farmers' organization. This confirmation follows reports that local cheesemakers plan to formally request a modification of this threshold. The 'Voice of Livestock Farmers,' which represents a sector composed of 95% goat and sheep breeders, has expressed strong opposition to any reduction in the quota.

Neofytou stated that the organization intends to file individual and collective objections to prevent any changes to the current regulations. He argued that the stability of the 51% requirement is vital for the survival of the industry, emphasizing that the sector requires a reconstruction effort supported by all stakeholders, including cow breeders and cheesemakers. The organization expressed confidence that the European Union will uphold the current standards, noting that they do not expect any future deviations from the established PDO guidelines.

This dispute highlights ongoing tensions regarding the production standards of Cyprus's signature cheese. The 'Voice of Livestock Farmers' maintains that they operate independently of political parties and are focused solely on the sustainability of the industry, warning that the failure to protect the current milk composition will result in the loss of the traditional product.