EU Grants Protected Status to Istrian Sheep Cheese

The European Union has officially conferred Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status upon Istrian Sheep Cheese, a formal recognition that elevates the standing of this product from the Istrian peninsula across all member states. This milestone, announced by the European Commission in the Official Journal of the European Union on December 10, 2025, marks the 52nd Croatian agricultural or food product to be registered within the comprehensive EU quality system.

Acquiring the PDO designation was the result of a dedicated, cross-border cooperative venture between producer associations in both Croatia and Slovenia. Specifically, the protection process was jointly launched by Croatia's Association of Istrian Goat and Sheep Breeders and Slovenia's Association of Small Ruminant Breeders, who submitted a unified application to the European Commission following their respective national registration phases. This collaboration underscores the shared cultural and agricultural significance of the cheese within the broader Northern Adriatic region, where the indigenous Istrian sheep, also known as Carsolina or Dalmatian-Karst, is traditionally raised.

Istrian Sheep Cheese is defined by its production from the milk of the indigenous Istrian sheep breed, often raised in a semi-extensive farming system that includes grazing on pastures rich in Mediterranean flora. The finished product is characterized as a hard, full-fat cheese, typically cylindrical, with an interior ranging from ivory to straw-yellow. Its flavor profile is described as savory and piquant, possessing a pronounced aroma of sheep's milk that intensifies with maturation, yielding a robust, full-bodied taste. The texture is noted as semi-elastic yet sliceable, sometimes developing a mildly crumbly quality upon aging.

The PDO designation is crucial for preserving unique regional production methods that have persisted for centuries. To bear the protected label, the cheese must be produced and packaged entirely within the Istrian region, encompassing both Croatian and Slovenian territories. Furthermore, the product must undergo a maturation period of at least 60 days, and a finished wheel must weigh between 1.8 and 4.5 kilograms, with a diameter between 16 and 22 centimeters. This assurance of authenticity distinguishes the product from imitations and supports local producers who adhere to the strict specifications.

This success in protecting a traditional food item reflects a national commitment to enhancing visibility in both domestic and international markets through EU quality marks. The protection of Istrian Sheep Cheese reinforces the value placed on the know-how and heritage embedded in the region's agricultural practices, joining other protected items such as Istrian Prosciutto, which shares the cross-border protection status.