More Cypriot products are to receive EU protection

Cyprus wants to increase the number of local products covered by EU protection. The Ministry of Agriculture is preparing support for producers applying for PDO and PGI labels, which confirm a food's link to a specific place of origin and protect its name from misuse.

The announcement was made by Minister of Agriculture Christos Senekis during the first Centennial Olive Tree Festival in Silikou. Details of the upcoming initiative are expected to be announced soon. The product list, participation rules, and application deadline have not yet been announced.

Cypriot protected products are to be more recognizable

EU labels can be found on the packaging of cheeses, cold cuts, sweets, and many other regional products. They provide consumers with information that the product meets specific requirements regarding its origin and production method.

For manufacturers, they primarily mean protecting the name. A company from another region cannot freely use it to sell a product that doesn't meet the registered specifications.

In this way, the Ministry aims to increase the recognition of Cypriot food, highlight its unique character, and enhance the value of local production. Protection can also aid promotion outside the island, although registration alone does not guarantee increased sales.

What do PDO and PGI mean?

PDO, i.e. Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), signifies a particularly strong connection between the product and a specific area. All stages of production, processing, and preparation must take place in that area, and the product's properties result from local natural conditions and the skills of the producers.

PGI, i.e. Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), It also requires a connection to a specific location. However, it is sufficient that at least one stage of production, processing, or preparation takes place there. A specific quality, reputation, or other product characteristic must be associated with the region.

Therefore, it is not enough to call a product "traditional" or "Cypriot." The manufacturer must demonstrate the required geographical connection and adhere to the rules set out in the specification.

Halloumi, kolokasi and local meats now protected

The most famous example is halloumi, covered by the Protected Designation of Origin. The same designation has Kolokasi Sotiras and Kolokasi-Poulles Sotiras, related to the cultivation of kolokasi in Sotira.

The Protected Geographical Indication has been awarded to, among others, loukoumi from Geroskipou, sausage from Paphos and traditional meat products from Pitsilia: lountza, sausage and hiromeri.

In 2024, the register was also entered Tertziellouthkia – traditional Cypriot pasta. The list of protected designations shows that the European system encompasses both the island's most recognizable products and specialties known primarily locally.

Olives are an important part of the economy and tradition

The announcement was made in Silikou, where centuries-old olive trees are part of the local landscape and history. The minister described them as living natural monuments, linking modern agriculture with the traditions of earlier generations.

Olive cultivation in Cyprus takes up approximately 11 thousand hectares, and the annual production value is approximately 26 million eurosIt is a source of income for many families and an important part of the island's agricultural activity.

Silikou is expected to benefit from support amounting to 2.9 million euros for activities related to local history, culture, tradition, and rural development. However, this is not the announced budget for the PDO and PGI program.

You'll have to wait for the list of other products

The Ministry has not yet indicated which products will benefit from the proposed support. Therefore, the announcement should not be interpreted as information about granting protection to additional products.

Producer support and name registration are two separate steps. Each applicant will need to complete the appropriate procedures and meet the requirements for a given designation.

For consumers, the simplest indicators remain the PDO and PGI symbols on packaging. They help distinguish products with protected origin from those that merely reference regional cuisine.

Sources: Cyprus Mail; European Commission; Cypriot Department of Agriculture; EUR-Lex.