The Cheese Makers’ Association is in the process of preparing an application for changes to the milk quota for halloumi, carrying out the plans they announced in June, in response to the foot-and-mouth disease crisis and its impact on milk production, particularly in the goat and sheep sectors. It should be noted that the recent decree of May 13, 2026, is currently in effect, providing for a reduction in the minimum proportion of goat and sheep milk in halloumi PDO to 15% until December 31, 2026.
Meanwhile, the Cheese Makers’ Association is considering its next steps beyond the decree, as it is considering submitting a formal request to revise the 51%-49% quota stipulated in the regulation for PDO halloumi.
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In statements to KYPE, Michalis Koulouros, press spokesperson for the Cheese Makers’ Association, stated that “the request will definitely be submitted before the end of the year,” explaining the timeframes for its review as well as for any potential appeal process. He said specifically, “I would have liked it to have been done by yesterday,” but given the tight deadline, “I believe the application will definitely be submitted before the end of the year.”
When asked about the content of the application, the quotas that will be requested, and what the “ceiling” for goat and sheep milk is, he stated that “we will request a quota that will allow production and exports to continue,” while also expressing the commitment that “cheese makers will continue to receive all the milk to process into cheese.”
He added that “whatever the percentage may be, it does not change our commitment to continue receiving all the milk.” Regarding the 51% threshold included in the regulation for PDO Halloumi, he noted that “the Minister himself said recently that it is not feasible to reach 51%,” despite the efforts made in recent years to increase goat and sheep milk production.
When asked about the factors that will determine their request for the new quota limits, he stated that “based on the tests we’re conducting, the scientific data we’ll derive from our analyses, and, of course, always following consultations we will hold with the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry will inform us of its own position on how it views the matter and what can be done.” As he noted, the cheesemakers are consulting with their advisors, who “are working on the issue and will propose a specific solution to us, which we can include in the application based on the data so that it is accepted by the European Commission and to avoid any objections that may arise.”
He noted that the cheese producers are “in constant consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture. The goal and the reason we are submitting this application is to maintain the PDO and exports,” following, as he noted, the policy direction set by the President of the Republic during their meeting in June 2024 at the Presidential Palace, in which the President stated that we must safeguard exports. He noted that halloumi exports amount to 350 million euros.
He also noted that if no amendment is made, “we will certainly lose a large percentage of our exports, since there will not be enough milk available to continue current production.”
Explaining the procedures, he stated that the goal is to submit a request to the Ministry of Agriculture by the end of 2026, as the Ministry needs time to review it and possibly request changes to the cheesemakers’ application.
Subsequently, he noted, the application will be submitted to the European Commission for its own review. He pointed out that the review by the European Commission takes approximately two years, which, as he said, means it must be submitted before the end of 2026 in order to be reviewed by the end of 2028, referring to “tight deadlines.”
Regarding the reactions of goat and sheep farmers and in response to a question about whether consultations are taking place with the dairy producers involved, he stated that “they are aware of it. It goes without saying that our intention to amend the law is well known.” He also said that goat and sheep farmers are insisting on 51%, adding that “if we go to 51% tomorrow, we’ll all lose out. Everyone. Cheese makers, livestock farmers, and everyone else—because we’ll lose a huge percentage of our exports. Many small cheese dairies may be forced to close because they won’t have enough milk to produce halloumi. The price of halloumi will skyrocket because production will drop.” He added that “if halloumi production drops from 45,000 metric tons to 20,000, all the milk used to make cheese will go unsold.”
He noted that “our goal is not to harm anyone—neither the goat and sheep farmers nor the dairy farmers. They’re part of the supply chain; they’re our partners; we need them. I hope they manage to increase their milk production, because only if their milk production increases can we also increase our exports.”
When asked whether the timeline for the end of 2026 is feasible, Mr. Koulouros stated that while it is difficult, it is not impossible.
Source: CNA
