Cyprus’ traditional squeaky cheese, which accounts for EUR 200 mln in exports, is in for another bumpy ride as authorities appear to be clamping down on halloumi products which do not conform to government specifications, with authorities confiscating halloumi products and variants at Larnaca airport.
Two containers full of halloumi products on their way to Romania and Bahrain were confiscated by customs officials at the airport, under orders of a special ‘halloumi watch’ unit of the Ministry of Commerce.
According to news reports, the two containers were confiscated in an effort to clamp down on the sale of halloumi products which do not comply to guidelines, such as products containing milk powder, or in shapes and weight other than those of the benchmark type, flavoured products such as chili halloumi and ‘light’ and lactose-free products.
The latest development is not expected to go down well with dairy producers who will see a large portion of their exports slashed, directly hurting the sector that employs 12,000 people.
The Ministry of Commerce is also coming down hard on dairy producers who want to export or sell these products in the local market. As Energy and Commerce Minister George Lakkotrypis said in comments to daily Phileleftheros, dairy producers have received letters warning them that their products do not conform with the relative legislation.
Lakkotrypis told the paper that following the cancellation of the trademark in the United Kingdom, a special unit overseeing halloumi brands has been created under the auspices of the ministry’s permanent secretary. He explained that the unit has prepared a road map of actions regarding the Cypriot market and the export market. A few months ago, he added, audits were conducted in the market and letters were sent to dealers to adhere to the halloumi model.
The Ministry of Commerce, as the paper noted, is trying to put a stop to merchants’ attempts to abolish international trademarks protecting Cyprus’ traditional cheese, aiming to make halloumi a generic product which can be produced anywhere in the world.
The Ministry of Commerce has stated on several occasions that the issue of halloumi and its specifications will be resolved once the traditional cheese is recognised as a product specific to Cyprus through the approval of Protected Designation of Origin file pending before the European Commission since July 2014.
