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Thursday 15 November 2018

Halloumi Shortage Looms As China Falls for Cheese

fresh sliced halloumi

We do enjoy Halloumi Cheese in our house, just put the word Halloumi into the search button on this blog and you will find a variety of articles and recipes, but recently an article by Ewan Palmer warns of a shortage of this cheese:

"A shortage of halloumi cheese looks likely as farmers in Cyprus struggle to cope with the ever-increasing rise in demand, coupled with its newfound popularity in China.

The salty, rubbery cheese, traditionally made from a mixture sheep's, goat's and cow's milk in the tiny European island, is growing in popularity worldwide after being a staple of the Mediterranean country's diet for centuries.

However, farmers have expressed concerns they cannot keep on supplying enough of the cheese following a protocol allowing the export of dairy products to China being signed between Agriculture Minister Costas Kadis and Minister of the General Administration of Customs of China Ni Yuefeng, reports Cyprus Mail.

If China, a country not traditionally known for its love of dairy products, continues to gain a taste for the cheese, it could spell problems for worldwide supply. Halloumi, which can be used in salads, burgers or as a meat alternative at a barbeque, is already popular among the country’s middle classes.

roasted aubergine(eggplant), cherry tomatoes and spinach salad, tossed with basil garlic olive oil, served with grilled halloumi cheese.

“It’s difficult enough servicing demand in the UK, Germany, Sweden, Denmark and Australia,” dairy farmer Alexis Pantziaros told The Guardian from his farm outside Larnaka, in South Cyprus. “If the Chinese learn about it too, it will become impossible to keep up.”

“There just isn’t enough milk,” Pantziaros explained. “In summer, when temperatures get up to 42 Celsius [107 Fahrenheit], the animals produce very little. It’s very difficult to get them pregnant. In such heat, they don’t even want to eat.”

Pantziaros said he has been forced to import sheep from Italy and Denmark just to keep up with the demand.

John Pittas, export director for halloumi supplier Pittas Dairy Industries, told the Financial Mirror that the U.K. is already experiencing a supply shortage as they struggle to keep up with demands from supermarkets, especially during the summer months.

“Twenty years ago, we would be sending a few hundred kilos per week, whereas we now are sending a couple of containers,” he said.

“Whenever temperatures go up, exports for the UK and Sweden fly through the roof.”

According to the BBC, the U.K. now consumes more halloumi than any other European country outside of Cyprus.

“Not all of us have sheep and goats, and to meet standards you need them to make it,” Andreas Andreou, director of the industry department at Cyprus’s chamber of commerce, told The Guardian.

“It’s only logical that if we go on like this there won’t be enough to go around.”"

Do you like this cheese - have you tried it?

All the best Jan

32 comments:

Valerie-Jael said...

I love it, and it would be a pity if there's not enough to go round! Valerie

Tom said...

...another item that I have never had.

Catarina said...

I have never seen halloumi cheese. I have tried to find it the other day when you referred to this cheese but I was not successful. I will try again.

Sami said...

Oh yes, I love halloumi cheese which I only started eating after moving to Australia, I had never heard of it when i lived in Portugal.
I do hope the Chinese don't get a taste for it, otherwise Europe is in trouble :(

R's Rue said...

Looks good.

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

who knew ya could grill cheese...

Existe Sempre Um Lugar said...

Boa tarde, nunca provei o queijo que mostra nas imagens, no entanto, o mesmo em salada ou como sobremesa deve de ser saboroso.
Feliz fim de semana,
AG

Cheryl said...

My husband will not be happy, he loves halloumi.

Iris Flavia said...

Oh, yes, I do love it! From a charcoal grill when it makes that sound in your mouth, yummmm! Bratwurst? Go home ;-)
But hubby hates it..

DIMI said...

Hello Jan
I love grilled Halloumi cheese and i like to served it with honey or jam,and in the salad too!
Love the mint flavor of this cheese! Have a relaxing evening!
Dimi...

Out on the prairie said...

I need to try this, it sounds even better being so much in demand LOL Never have seen it

Mary Kirkland said...

I love cheese but I haven't tried this cheese.

DeniseinVA said...

I don't remember ever eating Halloumi cheese before but now am interested in trying it. Interesting read too, thanks Jan!

Pam said...

I have not tried that cheese...but that salad looks great. I love a good salad but how is it that a salad you go out and get always taste better then one you make at home...haha

Miss Val's Creations said...

I have never heard of this cheese. It is probably hard to find here but now I will be on the lookout since I am quite a cheese fan!

Chris Lally said...

Have not tried it, Jan, but I definitely will now :)

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Jan,

Yes, I like halloumi cheese and what a shame if the farmers are not able to keep up with the supplies.
Happy weekend
Hugs
Carolyn

Teresa said...

No lo he comido nunca. Un beso.

William Kendall said...

I haven't heard of this cheese before.

Christine said...

Pretty sure I had it fried Greek style in an appetizer, yum.

Jeff said...

Another cheese to try. But I wonder if a pickup in China eating cheese might help the dairy glut in many countries?

Lowcarb team member said...

Existe Sempre Um Lugar said...

Boa tarde, nunca provei o queijo que mostra nas imagens, no entanto, o mesmo em salada ou como sobremesa deve de ser saboroso.
Feliz fim de semana,
AG

Google Translate...
Good afternoon, never tasted the cheese that shows in the images, however, the same in salad or as dessert should be tasty.
Happy Weekend,
AG

Lowcarb team member said...

Teresa said:
No lo he comido nunca. Un beso.

Google Translate:
I have never eaten it. A kiss.

Lowcarb team member said...

Jeff said...
Another cheese to try. But I wonder if a pickup in China eating cheese might help the dairy glut in many countries?

Hello Jeff,
Many thanks for your thoughts and comment.

Yes, there is a milk glut in many countries, and these two links give more details.

www.nbcnews.com/id/30930477/ns/business-us_business/t/world-milk-glut-squeezes-farmers-consumers/#.W-39XfZ2vIU

https://global.handelsblatt.com/companies/milking-the-chinese-market-62508

All the best Jan

happyone said...

Haven't heard of this cheese, but I'm sure I'd like it.

Lorrie said...

We do enjoy halloumi - it makes a great protein with salad, and a quick to prepare meal.

Margaret D said...

Haven't tried the cheese...well at least it's popular.

roughterrain crane said...

The naming of this dish is very interesting. The inventor will bring us up to the sky with a sweet smell. Have a nice weekend.

Carol Blackburn said...

I just found the Halloumi at my local supermarket and picked one up. I tried it last year but I had to buy it online then. I fried it in butter and it was awesome. Now to get my husband t try it. Since he's been recovering from shoulder surgery and unable to drive he hasn't gone to the store t buy lots of junk food for himself and is eating low carb dishes I cook now. He's lost 8 lbs. and says he is feeling good. What a blessing.

Bob Bushell said...

You can't beat halloumi. It is tasty, and cooking with it.

carol l mckenna said...

Wonderful sounding recipe and unique cheese ~ ^_^

Happy Day to you,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Debbie said...

i love cheese!!! but i have never heard of nor eaten this cheese. but from your description, i think i would like it!!!