The production of Halloumi as a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) product is currently in a state of uncertainty, with cheesemakers deciding to shut down their factories from January 10th. This move is in response to a decree increasing the quota of sheep and goat milk in Halloumi to 19%.

To address this issue, a meeting is scheduled for today afternoon at the Presidential Palace, presided over by President Nicos Christodoulides and attended by the Ministers of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, and Commerce and Industry.

Having decided to close the cheesemaking facilities from January 10th, the Association is calling for the repeal of decree 332/2023 of October 20th, which mandated the increase in the percentage of sheep and goat milk to 19%.

Furthermore, the Association had resolved that from January 1, 2024, its members would no longer be bound by the framework agreement of July 22, 2022, signed by all relevant parties, concerning the production of Halloumi as a PDO.

Simultaneously, the Coordinating Committee of Cattle Breeders announced that if the cheesemakers' decision is implemented, all produced cow milk from January 10th would be directed to the Presidential Palace.