Halloumi: Cyprus’ iconic cheese continues to win over the UK market

Once considered a niche Mediterranean speciality, Cyprus’ iconic cheese has developed into a mainstream favourite, enjoying year-round demand across retail and foodservice.

The United Kingdom remains Halloumi’s largest export destination, with British consumers embracing the cheese for its unique texture, distinctive flavour and exceptional versatility. It can be grilled, barbecued or pan-fried without losing its shape, developing a crisp, golden exterior while softening satisfyingly inside.

Halloumi’s versatility has helped it find a place in everything from salads, burgers and wraps to skewers, brunch dishes and contemporary sharing plates. Familiar enough to attract mainstream shoppers yet distinctive enough to earn its place in a speciality selection, it offers a premium eating experience with broad consumer appeal.

Halloumi’s success also reflects today’s changing food trends. Rich in protein and capable of holding its shape during cooking, it has become an essential ingredient in many modern British kitchens. It features prominently on supermarket shelves, restaurant menus, street-food stalls and home barbecues, demonstrating its ability to adapt to changing eating habits while maintaining its authentic character.

Authenticity protected

Produced exclusively in Cyprus according to a centuries-old tradition, Halloumi has become one of Europe’s most recognisable regional foods. Its reputation is supported by strict production standards that preserve its distinctive characteristics and ensure a consistently premium-quality product.

This commitment to authenticity is reinforced through a comprehensive framework of intellectual-property protection.

‘Halloumi’ is protected in the United Kingdom through a UK collective trade mark and in the European Union through an EU collective trade mark. The name is also protected in selected international markets through collective or certification marks, depending on the applicable national law. In addition, ‘Χαλλούμι (Halloumi)/Hellim’ has been registered as a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) in the European Union since 1 October 2021. Under the applicable post-Brexit arrangements, this PDO protection also applies in Northern Ireland, while the UK collective trade mark provides protection in Great Britain. Within the EU and Northern Ireland PDO framework, only cheese produced in Cyprus, in accordance with the registered product specification, may be marketed under the protected name.

A year-round retail opportunity

For retailers, Halloumi represents much more than another speciality cheese. Its popularity and versatility allow it to sit across several retail categories and purchasing occasions, from dairy, Mediterranean foods and convenient meal solutions to summer barbecues and premium ready-to-cook products.

Although Halloumi remains a barbecue favourite, its potential extends well beyond the summer season. Retailers can inspire year-round use by presenting it as an ingredient for warm salads, flatbreads, burgers, traybakes, grain bowls and brunch dishes.

Halloumi appeals to health-conscious families, adventurous food lovers and consumers looking for convenient and flavoursome alternatives to meat. This breadth of appeal gives retailers an opportunity to attract established Halloumi buyers while encouraging new shoppers to explore its uses.

Cross-merchandising can help bring that versatility to life. Positioning Halloumi alongside flatbreads, olives, marinades, chilli sauces, honey and seasonal vegetables can turn a familiar cheese purchase into a complete meal solution. Tastings and recipe cards can also demonstrate how cooking transforms its texture and intensifies its savoury character.

Versatility for foodservice

The opportunities extend well beyond retail. Foodservice operators are equally benefiting from Halloumi’s popularity.

Its distinctive cooking properties and consistent performance make it well suited to busy commercial kitchens, while its strong consumer recognition can add value to menus. From restaurants and cafés to hotels, caterers and street-food operators, businesses continue to incorporate Halloumi into classic and innovative food concepts, reflecting its ability to complement both traditional and contemporary cuisine.

Its ability to work across different styles, courses and dayparts gives chefs considerable freedom, while offering customers a product they already know and enjoy.

A taste of Cyprus

For Cyprus, Halloumi is far more than its flagship export. It represents generations of cheesemaking expertise and remains one of the island’s most distinctive gastronomic traditions.

Every pack carries a story of origin, authenticity and culinary excellence, while contributing to Cyprus’ international reputation for high-quality food products.

For UK retailers and foodservice operators, Halloumi brings together the qualities that make a compelling speciality product: protected provenance, broad consumer recognition, exceptional versatility and strong year-round potential.

As consumer expectations continue to evolve, Cypriot Halloumi is well positioned to remain at the forefront of the UK’s speciality cheese category.