The Greek Ministry of Agriculture is hoping to persuade the European Union to introduce rules which forbid “Greek yogurt” being produced anywhere but in Greece.
In 2016, Greece and the Czech Republic clashed after the latter produced “Greek” and “Greek-style” yogurt.
The European Union offers three special marks for products which are deemed unique — protected geographical indication (PGI), protected designation of origin (PDO) and traditional speciality guaranteed (TSG).
To qualify for PGI, a product must be produced, processed or prepared in a geographical area which it is associated with.
The EU will only give a product the PGI mark if they decide it has “a reputation, characteristics or qualities that are a result of the area.”
But Athens wants Greek yogurt to qualify for Protected Designation of Origin status as well as a PGI.
The Association of Greek Breeders has persuaded the Greek ministry of agriculture to establish a working group to prepare an application for it to get both PGI and PDO status.
“We are taking another important step in securing our traditional product, Greek yogurt, which is famous for its unique quality on European and international markets,” said Greek Agriculture Minister Evangelos Apostolou.
“If we succeed, the benefits for yogurt would be great as it will be protected from other countries which increasingly try to usurp it, considering the growing demand from consumers,” said Takis Peveretos, President of the Association of Greek Breeders.
But even if they are able to get PGI and PDO status for Greek yogurt, that protection will only apply in the EU and does not stop companies like Voskos in California from selling a product which they describe quite blatantly as “Greek yogurt.”
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