Quota reduced to 15% until year-end
The government has issued a decree significantly reducing the minimum proportion of sheep and goat milk required in PDO halloumi, lowering the quota from the current 25% to 15% from this Friday until the end of the year.
The proposal by the Ministry of Agriculture, which was sent for urgent consultation to stakeholders through the Ministry of Commerce on May 8, 2026, comes as a direct response to the crisis caused by the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Cyprus’ livestock sector.
Thousands of animals culled
The decision is based on concerning data recorded by the Department of Agriculture. The foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, which emerged in February 2026, resulted in the culling of 40,128 sheep and goats and 2,816 cows across 109 production units.
Authorities estimate the outbreak has caused an overall reduction in milk production of around 10%.
According to newspaper Phileleftheros, figures for April 2026 are particularly concerning, with sheep and goat milk production falling to 7.35 million litres- a drop of 24.6% compared to April 2025, when production reached 9.76 million litres.
At the same time, a 3% reduction in the number of cows has added further pressure to the production chain.
Cow milk production increases despite losses
In contrast to sheep and goat milk, cow milk production recorded an increase despite the culling of around 3,000 cows.
In April 2026, cow milk production reached 28.38 million litres, compared to 27.27 million litres during the same month in 2025, marking an increase of 4.08%.
The Ministry of Agriculture had projected a 12% increase in cow milk production and a 15% rise in sheep and goat milk production for 2026.
Additional data from the Department of Agriculture’s Intermediate Software system, introduced in October 2024, also shows a downward trend in sheep and goat milk production compared to the same period last year.
In March 2025, production stood at 9,077,655.79 litres, while in March 2026 it dropped to 8,346,351.34 litres- a decrease of 731,304.45 litres, or around 8.06%.
Concerns over future production
According to the same data, May is typically the month with the highest sheep and goat milk production, followed by a gradual decline in the following months due to factors such as high temperatures, water availability, diseases, and parasites.
Speaking on Sigma’s “Protoselido” programme, Voice of Farmers president Neophytos Neophytou said the decree changing the milk quota was issued while a meeting was taking place at the Ministry of Health.
“What we had been warning about and saying- things some people did not want to discuss, whether from the authorities, the government or organisations- you now see them in front of you,” he said.
He also referred to behind-the-scenes developments, saying certain individuals should come forward and reveal what has been happening doors.
“They must admit the reality of the situation and what is taking place behind closed doors,” he added.
Also read: GSI study gets funding green light
For more videos and updates, check out our YouTube channel
