Halloumi production and distribution unaffected by war

The production and distribution of halloumi have not been affected by the war in Ukraine, said the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Costas Kadis, saying that what they are trying to manage is the unallocated quantities from the pandemic period.

Speaking in Larnaca, Mr. Kadis said the government had provided about 1m euros in support to cheesemakers to manage stocks. He expressed the hope that with the positive forecasts for tourism, consumption will increase. "The aim is for the halloumi to get the price it deserves and for all the participants in the production chain to benefit, from the breeders to the cheesemakers."

The issue of trademark controls remains open, Mr. Kadis continued.  For the control of halloumi's PDO, he said, the plan with Bureau Verıtas is in full swing. "It remains to be seen what we will do with the trademark in the database and the suggestions of the Legal Service," he said. The views of the Legal Service are expected on how inspections will be carried out on the product called Halloumi, under the trademark, he added.

Halloumi remains the most important agricultural product of our country and we want to protect it and promote it, the Minister of Agriculture noted, saying that for this reason events such as the one for halloumi in Larnaca organized by the city's Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Larnaca Tourism Development and Promotion Board, AXIK and the Cyprus Chef's Association are very important.