Haloumi cheese is considered one of the emblematic food products of Cyprus, with exports amounting to 194,3m Euros in 2018. However, this trade success should not be taken for granted. Cyprus has to undertake action within the framework of the relevant EU legislation, on geographical indications and designations of origin, in order to ensure the exclusivity of this product. This is an issue that affects the interests of a wide circle of market participants of this sector in Cyprus, namely the producers, the traders and the industry.
Antigoni Pafiti, associate in our Brussels office, recently published an article in the Fileleftheros newspaper addressing the issues of geographical indications and designations of origin in general. Further, the article specifically presents the challenges that Cyprus faces in terms of the official registration of the above- mentioned product. These include, in particular, the production levels of milk and the registration of the relevant trademarks. The article stresses the importance of a robust registration so that the product characterization is protected from possible legal actions against it in the Court of the European Union.
If you have any questions or require any clarification on this matter, please contact Antigoni Pafiti or your usual contact at Elias Neocleous & Co LLC.