Halloumi demand from foreign markets is growing steadily, with exports reaching 2023 million euros in the first quarter of 111,8, stated the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Petros Xenophontos at the event "Exhibition of local products with main product is halloumi", in Prasteio Avdimou. As he said, this amount corresponds to 20,49% of Cypriot product exports.
Nevertheless, he noted, this success should in no way be complacent.
" We must not overlook and underestimate the importance of maintaining and safeguarding the high quality of our product, which is directly linked to its high levels of market demand. The quality of Halloumi, as stated in the registration specifications, is largely due to the local goat and sheep milk used for its preparation," he noted.
He added that preserving the quality and value of this product requires a collective effort from both Halloumi producers and milk producers. In this effort, he emphasized, the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment will always be a helper.
"Recognizing the valuable contribution, but also the enormous difficulties faced by the goat and sheep farming sector in Cyprus, in the context of the Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy 2023-2027, we have prioritized the provision of support and additional incentives to our goat and sheep farmers", he said.
He added that the Ministry designed interventions that give incentives to increase goat milk production and improve livestock units. It specifically referred to the Interventions for "Investments to modernize, improve the competitiveness of the overall performance and sustainability of agricultural holdings", for "Investments that contribute to the protection of the environment and animal welfare", and for "Investments for processing and management of livestock wastes" ». Additional incentives are provided through the Intervention for the "Installation of new farmers" and in the livestock sector, while the Intervention entitled "Animal Welfare" also concerns goat and sheep farmers, as he said, as the undertaking of commitments that promote the welfare of sheep and goats is rewarded.
He also mentioned that the Intervention to provide "Linked Support for sheep and goats", was designed to provide goat and sheep farmers with an additional income support. The Intervention relates to the number of animals and to the quantity of milk produced delivered to dairies and producer groups, and takes into account the difficult economic conditions that have developed on international markets, in particular the prices of animal feed and other inputs in the sector.
Source: KYPE