Sheep and goat farmers in Cyprus say the requirement for at least 51% of the milk used in PDO halloumi to come from sheep and goats must remain unchanged when the transitional period ends in July 2029.
The farmers intend to oppose any attempt to revise the quota, arguing that it is essential to protecting the authenticity of halloumi and the future of traditional livestock farming.
Neophytos Neophytou, head of the “Voice of Livestock Breeders” organisation, said information reaching the group indicated that the 51% requirement would remain in place.
He said cheesemakers were expected to submit a letter requesting a change to the quota, a move the organisation strongly opposes.
Farmers prepare objections to any revision
Neophytou said farmers planned to submit objections both individually and collectively, adding that they expected the European Union to reject any request to amend the requirement.
“If everyone does not help sheep and goat farming to rebuild, halloumi will be lost,” he said.
He called on cheesemakers and cattle farmers to contribute to efforts to rebuild the sheep and goat farming sector.
Neophytou also said that 95% of the organisation’s members were sheep and goat breeders. He described it as a non-profit organisation representing the wider livestock industry and said it was not affiliated with any political party.
Cheesemakers concerned about export volumes
The cheesemakers’ association confirmed in June that it was examining whether to request a revision of the milk ratio set out in the European specification for PDO halloumi.
Its spokesman, Michalis Koullouros, said maintaining exports was the industry’s main objective.
“It goes without saying that it is something we are discussing and thinking about because everyone’s goal is to maintain exports,” he said.
Under the PDO framework, the transitional period ends in July 2029. From then on, sheep and goat milk must account for at least 51% of the milk mixture used to produce halloumi.
Cheesemakers have argued that meeting the threshold could prove difficult without reducing export volumes, particularly following recent losses in livestock populations.
Koullouros said any application to amend the quota would require lengthy consideration by European authorities, meaning the industry would need to decide quickly whether to proceed.
He said the discussion concerned aligning the rules with actual milk availability while protecting a product that generates approximately €350 million in annual exports.
Farmers say quota protects halloumi’s identity
Sheep and goat farmers have consistently rejected any change to the approved framework.
In a statement issued in June, their association urged all parties to focus on increasing sheep and goat milk production and meeting the existing requirements.
“Halloumi is not a common cheese product that can be adapted according to market or export needs,” it said.
The farmers also pointed out that the EU had granted the sector a 15-year transitional period specifically to allow it to adjust gradually.
They argued that the 51% threshold is directly linked to halloumi’s authenticity and the survival of traditional sheep and goat farming in Cyprus.
They warned that weakening the standard could put family farms and rural communities dependent on sheep and goat production at risk.
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