Halloumi crisis: Fears of global shortage as China develops appetite for rubbery cheese
Britain is the second biggest consumer of the cheese outside Cyprus, whose producers are already struggling with existing demand.
Tuesday 13 November 2018 17:20, UK
Fears of an imminent global shortage of halloumi could leave UK lovers of the rubbery cheese missing out.
The looming threat to supplies comes from China, which has recently developed an appetite for halloumi and has agreed a deal to import it from Cyprus, where it is made.
It's likely to make life even harder for the hard-pressed halloumi industry, already struggling to meet existing demand from countries such as Britain, the second biggest consumer outside Cyprus.
Farmers on the European island are concerned they will not be able to meet demand, the Cyprus Mail reported.
A staple of the Cypriot diet for centuries, the salty cheese, which makes a squeaky sound when you bite into it, is traditionally made from a mixture of sheep's, goat's and cow's milk.
But producers have already been forced to increase the proportion of cow's milk from 50% to 80% because of a limited supply of sheep and goats.
Andreas Andreou, director of the industry department at Cyprus's chamber of commerce, told the Guardian: "Not all of us have sheep and goats, and to meet standards you need them to make it.
"It's only logical that if we go on like this there won't be enough to go round."
The hot Cypriot summers add to their problems, as when temperatures exceed 40C (108F), animals do not want to mate and produce little milk.
Some farmers have been forced to bring in sheep from other countries to meet the required standard.
Halloumi, which has a high melting point and can therefore withstand being grilled, is perfect for barbecues and is vegetarian-friendly.
It was initially seen as a salad-topping when it was first exported abroad, but has since been worked into burgers, fries and sandwiches.
It has even found its way onto the menus of McDonald's, Nando's and Burger King, while Waitrose launched an organic halloumi line in October and a halloumi festival starts in Melbourne on Wednesday.