Agriculture, Minister Nicos Kougialis has expressed hope that Cypriot halloumi/hellim cheese will be registered as a protected Cypriot product (PDO) by this summer.

Speaking during a press conference, Kougialis said that the whole process has reached its final stage, adding that halloumi has become very popular in the international markets in recent years.

He said that the registration will lead to a high commercial value product, that will reach more easily the international markets, stressing its importance for the economy of Cyprus.

More specifically, he said that all fields of agricultural economy and trade in general will benefit most in the short and long term from the registration of halloumi cheese. That is why, he noted, measures to increase the production of sheep milk are being taken.

Replying to questions, he said that “we are at the last stage of consultations with those who have submitted objections. There are nine objections by private companies from the UK, Turkey, New Zealand, Australia, Kuwait and the US.”

Objections, he explained, had been anticipated as important economic interests within and outside Cyprus are being affected by the registration of the halloumi cheese.

Kougialis noted however that the application submitted by Cyprus for the registration of the product was prepared in an excellent way.

The Minister also said that the registration of other ten agricultural and food products is being promoted.

On 2014, the Commission received the official application for the registration of the names ‘Χαλλουμι’ (Halloumi)/‘Hellim’ as a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) for a cheese made predominantly from ewes’ and/or goat milk under the Quality Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012.

The application covers producers from the whole island and foresees the protection of the name in the two languages, Greek and Turkish.

On July 28 2014, Cyprus application to register halloumi as a PDO was published in the EU official journal. This followed a visit to Cyprus by the European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, who announced a common understanding between President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades and the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci on the issue.