Another Halloumi Producer in Cyprus Gains PDO Certification

The Turkish Cypriot halloumi producer Meric has officially become the fourth company to receive Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) certification from the European Union.

Meric joins three other Turkish Cypriot producers already recognized in the EU’s PDO register: Gulgun, based in the village of Epicho; Arden, operating in the Mia Milia suburb of Nicosia; and Garanti, located in the village of Argaki in the Nicosia district.

The Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce (KTSO) emphasized that with four companies now meeting the strict PDO criteria, the groundwork is laid for facilitating halloumi trade under the Green Line Regulation. The chamber urged that this process be finalized without further delay.

According to Cyprus Mail, a European Commission representative previously noted that trade could commence once the Turkish Cypriot community achieved compliance with EU standards on food safety and animal health.

In September, the European Commission announced €6.5 million in funding to assist halloumi producers from both sides of the island in meeting PDO requirements by 2025.

• This program is designed to promote the reunification of Cyprus by fostering economic growth within the Turkish Cypriot community, the announcement stated.

The initiative focuses on enhancing the island’s economic integration, improving interactions and exchanges between the two communities and with the EU, and preparing the Turkish Cypriot community for the adoption of EU standards following a comprehensive resolution of the Cyprus issue.

Currently, the market value of halloumi in the EU is estimated at €115 million.

The Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Cyprus has also reaffirmed its commitment to stricter enforcement of PDO regulations. Officials have warned that halloumi producers in the northern part of the island "cannot act independently of the rules" and emphasized that only the Republic of Cyprus is authorized to produce halloumi under PDO standards.

Discover more: What is halloumi, and how can you use it in cooking?