It can’t be denied that Australians are ardent fans of haloumi. The salty cheese has become a breakfast staple in the land that worships brunch, infiltrating the menus of every cafe around the nation, as well as an increasing number of Fast Food outlets. But our love affair with haloumi may abruptly come to an end soon; suppliers are voicing concerns that they may no longer be able to keep up with booming demand.

The Guardian UK has reported that Cyprus, the home of haloumi, is in trouble. A global demand for the cheese has placed uncomfortable pressure on the island’s dairy farmers to produce enough sheep, cow and goat’s milk to create the amount of cheese required to satisfy the world’s cravings. Pressure looks set to only mount, with the Cypriot government just last week signing a protocol to allow the export of dairy products to China.

The problem is also that, rather like Champagne, it’s only the Cypriots who make true haloumi. Its taste is the result of a perfected combination of cow, sheep and goat’s milk. The United Kingdom dared to delve into haloumi experimentation last year, which encouraged Cyprus to register haloumi as a protected designation of origin product with the European Commission.

“Halloumi is a very important national product for our island, historically, culturally and economically,” says director of trade at the ministry of commerce Nelly Koulia. “It can only be produced in Cyprus by authorised users. Every time we are informed of an infringement through our watch service we take immediate action in collaboration with the Law Office of the Republic that can range from cease and desist letters to outright legal suits.”

Things are getting obviously getting heated in the haloumi realm. But the answer to Cyprus’ problems remain unclear. Farmers are complaining that milk supplies on land are dwindling, partly as a result of rising temperatures. The only solution so far is to increase the import of milk to the island to aid production. Scientists from Edinburgh University has also offered to help, promising to assist in increasing milk production for the island.

All haloumi fans can do now is pray that a solution comes swiftly. But until then we’d suggest you stock up and enjoy that salty goodness while you can.