Athienou Bread and Loukoumi Advance Toward EU Protected Status

Cyprus has formally forwarded applications for its famed Athienitiko Psomi and Athienitiko Loukoumi to the European Commission, marking a key step toward EU Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status. The agriculture department submitted the dossiers on September 25, after receiving a favourable national decision and publishing the specifications in the Republic’s official gazette. The bread is defined as a round loaf made from at least 90 % durum wheat, with no preservatives, a thick, crunchy crust and a dense, pale crumb, and must be produced entirely within Athienou’s municipal boundaries. Loukoumi, a traditional Cypriot sweet, is likewise described in detail. The ministry expects a favourable Commission decision in 2027. Athienou’s bread‑making heritage dates back over a century, with the first commercial bakery opening in 1926 and the product now listed in Cyprus’s National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Securing PGI would formally recognize the unique qualities that have made Athienitiko Psomi and Loukoumi symbols of Cypriot gastronomy.