NICOSIA, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- An official of the Cyprus Cheesemakers Association on Thursday dismissed media reports claiming that export of halloumi to China would derail the supply of the popular cheese to the north European markets.
Cyprus and China signed an agreement on Nov. 6, during the first China International Import Expo (CIIE), which permits the exports of halloumi cheese to China.
British media claimed that the export deal would lead to a shortage of halloumi, raising alarm among thousands of halloumi fans, who created a storm on social media.
Guardian newspaper even reported that a big chain of supermarkets in Britain was already facing shortages of the product.
"There is not even a shred of truth in these reports," said Georgios Petrou, the chairman of the Cyprus Cheesemakers Association.
"My personal experience tells me that it takes a long time for people to get acquainted and used to a product like halloumi...By the time the Chinese will get to like it we would be able to increase production to meet all demand," he added.
Halloumi is a medium hard white cheese, which Cyprus is in the process of safeguarding with the European Union as a protected designation product, meaning that no other manufacturers except Cypriots can name their cheese halloumi.
Most Europeans like it because it can take the place of meat in barbecues.
A hotter and longer summer this year across Europe also boosted sales of halloumi as people stayed more days in the open.
Demand in Britain surpassed that in every other European country, except Cyprus, by 2013.
