Unfair Competition: ‘Halloumi – North Cyprus’ Products Produced in Occupied Territories

In a contentious development, products branded as ‘Halloumi – North Cyprus’ are being manufactured in the occupied territories and exported to third countries, creating significant competition for genuine halloumi from the free areas. This issue, highlighted by Nikos Papakyriakou of the Coordination Committee of Cattle Breeders, underscores a lack of government action despite protests and a 2010 court ruling. The situation, where lower-cost production without proper oversight undermines fair market practices, poses a growing challenge for Cyprus's halloumi industry

SigmaLive reports with accompanying photos that products labelled as ‘Halloumi—North Cyprus’ are manufactured in the occupied territories and exported to third countries, posing a challenge of unfair competition with Halloumi produced in free areas.

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"No Government Action"

Nikos Papakyriakou, spokesperson for the Coordination Committee of Cattle Breeders, voiced concerns on ‘Mesimeri kai Kati’, highlighting unfair competition issues related to products from the occupied territories.

He initially noted that "we have reported this issue to the government, but we see that no action is being taken. Despite our protests and a 2010 court decision, the Republic of Cyprus has allowed the occupied areas to produce ‘halloumi’."

He further mentioned that the Ministry of Agriculture won a case affirming that halloumi and ‘hellim’ are distinct products. "They cannot control production in the occupied areas; they only oversee PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) production by foreign firms."

Papakyriakou emphasized, "Since the Republic of Cyprus decided all halloumi must be PDO, the same should apply to halloumi from the occupied territories. They need to find a way to monitor them."

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He explained that Greek Cypriots produce PDO halloumi at higher costs, while in the occupied territories, they produce ‘Halloumi – North Cyprus’. "They do this to dominate third-country markets, where 75% of our exports go."

He queried how they can confirm these quantities are made only in the occupied areas. "We're at a disadvantage as ‘halloumi’ production there started, gradually displacing us in markets. The Commerce Minister noted this on a recent trip to Dubai."

"It's like arming them against us"

He also said they haven't had a reply from the Agriculture Ministry. "In Germany, there was a trademark for ‘hellim’. For three years, 100% bovine milk has been produced, yet the state has done nothing to stop it. We think it can't be halted."

Papakyriakou stressed, "We can't subsidize the occupied areas to promote ‘halloumi’. We use money from Cypriot taxpayers, cattle breeders, and EU consumers while they produce with lower costs, no specs, and no checks. It's like arming them against us. This policy can't go on."

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