Hellim export hurdle eased as inspection process moves forward

The Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Industry has announced that a major obstacle to Hellim exports via the Green Line is being removed following progress in the appointment of an inspection body.

In its statement, the Chamber noted that despite 22 farms and 4 producer members obtaining certification under the EU’s Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) framework, exports through the Green Line Regulation had been blocked for nearly five years. This was due to the failure to appoint an inspection body by the Greek Cypriot side.

It was further stated that, during the latest meeting of the EU Bi-communal Informal Hellim Working Group, the long-pending appointment of the inspection body—Bureau Veritas—had finally been completed.

The Chamber emphasised that this development marks the end of a bottleneck that has persisted since the PDO registration in 2021 and signals a transition to the implementation phase.

Describing the progress as a significant milestone achieved after more than five years of determined efforts with stakeholders, the Chamber said that once inspections begin, PDO-certified producers will be able to accelerate exports, access new markets through the Green Line, and open a new export channel under challenging economic conditions.