The Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment is facing critical dilemmas and under time pressure, which is now called upon to run intensively to save the protection of halloumi as a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) product.
The inaction and delays shown by the respective governments in all the previous years, from the day of the official registration of the product in 2014 until today, have trapped the sector in dead ends, with the result that the existing production conditions and the increased availability of cow's milk compared to sheep and goat's milk threaten the very existence of certification. Based on the latest decree, the quota from last May until the end of 2026 remains stuck at 15%.
Now, the margins have been exhausted, since they essentially remain for less than three years and the Ministry of Agriculture is called upon to make immediate catalytic decisions, finding itself between two specific options:
>> First, the immediate launch of the procedures for amending the specifications of PDO halloumi through an application submitted by the cheesemakers, in order to ensure the required time to complete the time-consuming national and EU procedures and approvals.
>> Second, in the event that no amendment application is submitted, the alternative activation of the process of gradually increasing the minimum quota of sheep and goat milk in raw materials for production through ministerial decrees, so that it must reach 50%+ by July 2029.
Now the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment emphasizes the immediate need for decision-making.
At the heart of the plans is the launch of the procedures for amending the product specifications, while, at the same time, it is announced that, if no change application is submitted, a gradual increase in the minimum use of sheep and goat milk should be implemented, in order to achieve the target of 50%+ by 2029.
According to the Ministry, the most serious issue affecting the implementation of the specifications concerns the long-standing dispute between the bodies involved: Sheep breeders, cattle breeders and cheesemakers. The disagreement focuses on questioning the quantitative adequacy of the three permitted types of milk to meet the required quota and produce sufficient quantities for placing on the market, given that more than 90% of production is traded in EU member states or exported to third countries.
Despite efforts to increase the production of sheep and goat milk, those involved claim that the quantities are not sufficient for all cheesemakers to comply with the requirement that the quantity of sheep and goat milk exceeds that of cow's. This reality led in 2024, at the end of the 10-year transitional period of adaptation to the specification, to the use of EU provision to extend the transitional period until 2029, in order to provide the necessary time for those involved to adapt and gradually achieve full compliance with the requirements of the PDO halloumi specification.
As the increased production of cow's milk compared to sheep's and goat's milk makes the modification of the specification almost inevitable, the cheesemakers who produce the product are invited to submit an application. This must be initiated immediately. The procedure for examining such an application includes stages of national and EU publications, as well as objection periods at local and European level, which may significantly extend or delay the time needed to complete the examination process and its final approval or rejection. The early start of procedures is a key priority in order not to jeopardise the protection of the PDO designation.
In the event that no application for amendment of the specification is submitted, it is underlined that the process of gradually increasing the minimum quota of sheep and goat milk in the raw materials of manufacture should be initiated as an alternative. This increase will be implemented through relevant decrees of the Minister of Energy, Trade and Industry, with the final goal in July 2029 for the ratio of sheep and goats to reach 50%+, exactly as defined in the original specifications of PDO halloumi.
Actions and implementation measures by the Ministry of Agriculture
In order to faithfully implement the specifications and strengthen the sector, the Ministry of Agriculture has implemented a series of targeted actions:
>> Milk dust detection program: Implemented from July 2024 to December 2026 in collaboration with the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT), the State Chemical Laboratory and the Department of Agriculture.
>> Establishment of special Committees:
a) Intra-Departmental Committee: Under the chairmanship of the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, with the aim of holistic management, collective examination of issues and continuous updating of stakeholders.
b) Monitoring Committee: Under the chairmanship of the President of the CCCI, Stavros Stavrou, with the aim of finding joint solutions through dialogue and strengthening trust between all stakeholders.
>> Intermediate software: Operation of a system for the accurate recording of the three types of milk used as raw material for halloumi, as well as the products produced (such as anaris, yogurt, etc.).
>> Tightening legislation: An amending bill is before the parliamentary committee on agriculture to impose tougher penalties in cases of non-compliance.
>> Genetic improvement and national project AGRICYGEN: In collaboration with the Animal Production, Plant Improvement and Agrobiotechnology Sectors of the Agricultural Research Institute (ARI), the program utilizes laboratory technologies and cutting-edge computational methods with the following objectives:
a) The increase in the production of sheep and goat milk.
b) The increase in the production of domestic animal feed.
c) The ecological upgrading of the Cypriot territories.
Mala's plan to double the production of sheep and goat milk
The State is proceeding with a radical redesign of the livestock map of Cyprus, focusing on sustainability, productivity and the safeguarding of our national product, halloumi. According to the report of the Special Scientific Committee of Stavros Malas, the implementation of a Twelve-Year Restructuring Plan (2027-2038), with a total budget of €610.92 million, is preferred.
The commercial course of halloumi in the period 2007–2025 records a spectacular increase: +750% in volume and +1,100% in value. However, the absence of long-term planning drove the development of livestock farming solely from the needs of the market.
The registration of halloumi as a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) product has doubled the production of sheep's milk in the last decade. With international markets now demanding strict animal welfare standards and stable raw material quality, the current structure of sheep and goat farming is considered fragile and requires immediate support.
Through the planning of the 12-year period, the following are proposed:
1. Reconstruction of sheep and goat farming (€372.2 million).
2. Upgrading of cattle farming (€134 million).
3. Horizontal actions and biosecurity (€41 million).
4. Scientific support and research (€63.7 million).
