Feta cheese prices in Greece may reach €16 per kilo

feta cheese prices sheep milk shortage livestock disease Greek agriculture food inflation

The Greek feta cheese industry is facing a significant crisis characterized by rising prices and shrinking production. Michalis Sarantis, president of the National Interprofessional Organisation for Feta, warns that prices could climb to €15–16 per kilogram, up from the current €12–13 range.

The crisis is driven by a sharp decline in sheep milk production, estimated to be down by approximately 80,000 tonnes. This shortage is largely attributed to the loss of roughly 600,000 livestock animals due to animal diseases, such as sheep pox, which has reduced the sheep population to below 8 million. Consequently, the price of sheep milk is expected to rise to between €1.80 and €1.90 per kilogram.

Despite the domestic supply shortage, demand from international markets remains high, with feta exports increasing by approximately 7% this year. This combination of low stocks and high global demand is putting immense pressure on dairy producers and cheesemakers. Industry experts suggest it may take at least two years for milk production to return to pre-crisis levels. As prices rise, some Greek consumers are reportedly shifting toward more affordable white cheeses.

Separately, the olive oil market is entering a new season with Mediterranean production estimated between 3 and 3.2 million tonnes. While sufficient quantities are expected to stabilize prices, producers continue to face high operational costs. Greek extra virgin olive oil producer prices are estimated between €3.80 and €4.20 per kilogram.

Entities

Greece · Michalis Sarantis · National Interprofessional Feta Organization · National Interprofessional Organisation for Feta · National Interprofessional Organisation of Feta · Panhellenic Association of Exporters · Panhellenic Exporters Association

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 5 SOURCES] It is estimated that it will take at least two years for milk production to return to pre-disease levels. www.lamiareport.gr · www.thessaliatv.gr · www.in.gr · www.larissapress.gr · www.epiruspost.gr
[● 4 SOURCES] Approximately 600,000 livestock animals have been lost due to animal diseases such as sheep pox. www.thessaliatv.gr · www.in.gr · www.larissapress.gr · www.epiruspost.gr
[● 4 SOURCES] The sheep population in Greece has fallen below 8 million head. www.thessaliatv.gr · www.in.gr · www.larissapress.gr · www.epiruspost.gr
[● 5 SOURCES] Feta exports have increased by approximately 7% this year despite domestic shortages. www.lamiareport.gr · www.thessaliatv.gr · www.in.gr · www.larissapress.gr · www.eea.gr
[DISPUTED] Feta prices may rise to between €15 and €16 per kilogram, up from the current €12–13 range. cretaone.gr · www.lamiareport.gr · www.thessaliatv.gr · www.zarpanews.gr · www.in.gr · +8 more
[● 2 SOURCES] Feta stocks may not be sufficient to last until the end of 2026. www.lamiareport.gr · www.eea.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] Sheep milk production is estimated to have decreased by approximately 80,000 tonnes. www.lamiareport.gr · www.eea.gr · www.epiruspost.gr
[○ 1 SOURCE] The price of sheep milk is expected to rise to between €1.80 and €1.90 per kilogram. www.capital.gr