Cyprus Invests in Halloumi Production with New €70 Million Factory
In a significant development for Cyprus's agri-food sector, Olympus Foods Cyprus has inaugurated a state-of-the-art factory dedicated to producing Halloumi cheese with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status. The facility, covering 12,000 square meters, represents an investment of nearly €70 million and boasts an annual production capacity of 18,000 tons of Halloumi, accounting for 40% of the island's total annual production.
The factory emphasizes environmental sustainability by implementing green methods to optimize resources. It features an anaerobic wastewater treatment unit that breaks down organic waste to produce biogas, partially meeting the plant's thermal energy needs. Additionally, 3.2 MW photovoltaic panels supply part of the electricity demand, and a water recovery unit reuses treated wastewater for secondary purposes.
This investment aligns with the Cypriot government's efforts to enhance the quality and global competitiveness of Halloumi.
In March 2024, Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou announced that President Nikos Christodoulides would meet with Halloumi stakeholders to discuss the extension of the transitional period for milk ratios in PDO Halloumi production by five years. Initially, goat and sheep milk were to constitute half of PDO Halloumi by July 2024, but the deadline has now been extended to 2029. The government aims to find a consensus among all stakeholders to protect and promote PDO Halloumi.
These developments underscore Cyprus's commitment to supporting its agri-food sector, with the new factory and regulatory adjustments expected to bolster the island's economy and reinforce Halloumi's status as a cherished Mediterranean delicacy.
Market Cyprus - News Service
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