The minimum proportion of goat and sheep milk used in halloumi production has been set at 15% under a new decree issued by the Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry and published in the Official Gazette.
The measure will apply from 15 May 2026 until 31 December 2026, amid pressure on milk supply caused by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.
According to the decree, foot-and-mouth disease has affected 8% of the total goat and sheep population, raising concerns at the Ministry of Agriculture over the availability of milk used in halloumi production.
The decree states that data from the Ministry of Agriculture show that current quantities of goat and sheep milk are not sufficient to allow all producers to comply fully with the specifications for protected designation of origin halloumi and the relevant regulations, which require goat or sheep milk, or a mixture of the two, to exceed the proportion of cow’s milk.
At the same time, efforts are being made to gradually increase the production of goat and sheep milk so that full compliance with the PDO specifications can be achieved by the end of the transitional period.
The decree was issued by the Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry following a request by the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment.
With the entry into force of the new decree, the previous decree dated 31 December 2025, K.D.P. 428/2025, is repealed.
