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Agriculture Minister Announces New Decree On PDO Halloumi Milk Quota

In a significant policy shift, Cyprus’ Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou announced a new decree adjusting the milk quotas to produce Halloumi with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status. This decree, effective from February 2025, aims to bolster the authenticity and market strength of Cyprus’ primary export product by increasing the goat and sheep milk content from 25% to 30% in the Halloumi mixture.

Addressing Seasonal Variability and Production Standards

The decree marks a pivotal change in the agricultural landscape, reducing seasonality from six to five months and setting an annual average quota of 23% for goat and sheep milk, up from the previous 18%. This adjustment benefits both seasonal and year-round goat and sheep farmers, providing a more stable production environment and aligning with European Union environmental commitments by limiting cow milk usage in Halloumi production.

Technological Integration for Enhanced Monitoring

The introduction of advanced software for tracking goat and sheep milk, slated for October 2024, signifies a forward-looking approach. This system will gather critical data to inform future quota decisions, ensuring that the decree is data-driven and responsive to production realities.

Financial Incentives and Infrastructure Development

The government has introduced financial measures to support the agricultural sector in tandem with the quota adjustments. These include targeted incentives for increasing goat and sheep milk production, infrastructure improvements, genetic enhancement, and the expansion of production units. Such initiatives are expected to modernise the industry, making it more resilient and competitive.

Strategic Goals and Long-Term Vision

Minister Panayiotou emphasized the decree’s alignment with the broader goals of sustaining PDO Halloumi’s status and ensuring its market strength. The five-year transitional period granted by the European Commission, ending in 2029, allows Cyprus to gradually meet the EU Regulation 2021/591 requirements, which mandate a minimum of 51% goat and sheep milk in Halloumi production.

By actively engaging with stakeholders and implementing these comprehensive measures, Cyprus is set to reinforce its position in the global Halloumi market. This decree is a strategic move towards balancing traditional practices with modern demands, ensuring the long-term viability of an iconic Cypriot product.

DeepL Plans IPO For Late 2025: What’s Next For German Tech Exits?

Reports from April 2025 reveal that German AI translation startup DeepL, founded in 2017 by Jarek Kutylowski (CEO), is considering an IPO as early as 2025, with a target for 2026. Currently valued at $2 billion and supported by top venture capital firms, DeepL is poised for a significant market entry.

While the IPO timeline remains tentative, sources suggest the company is closely monitoring current market dynamics to determine the optimal timing. This approach reflects a strategic focus on market conditions, with the final decision on timing still pending.

DeepL’s Fundraising And Financial Performance

DeepL has raised $410 million in venture funding, with the latest $300 million Series B round in May 2024, bringing its valuation to $2 billion post-money. Index Ventures led the round, joined by ICONIQ Growth, Teachers’ Venture Growth, IVP, Atomico, and WiL.

The company achieved unicorn status in January 2023, after securing over $100 million in funding at a $1 billion valuation. By the end of 2024, DeepL’s revenue had surged to $185.2 million, propelled by an expanding customer base and premium offerings. Its year-over-year growth stands at 100%, with profitability on the horizon.

Core Offerings: AI Translation Services And “Clarify” Feature

DeepL offers AI-powered translation services, both free and premium, catering to high-demand B2B clients. The platform supports 32 languages, with recent additions like Arabic, Norwegian, and Korean.

In March 2025, DeepL introduced “Clarify,” a feature that offers multiple contextual interpretations of ambiguous phrases, enhancing its value for enterprise clients dealing with legal or technical documents.

DeepL serves over 100,000 businesses, governments, and organizations globally, including clients like Zendesk, Nikkei, Coursera, and Deutsche Bahn. In response to growing demand in its third-largest market, DeepL opened its first U.S. office in January 2024.

The company’s competitive advantage lies in its neural network architecture, training data, and human editor input. CEO Kutylowski emphasizes the company’s focus: “Translation isn’t Google’s core business—it’s just one of their 100 side projects… Our focus remains on one specific area.”

Germany’s Tech IPO Landscape

Germany’s tech sector attracted over €9.5 billion in 2024, with AI and deep tech leading the way. DeepL and Helsing’s major funding rounds highlight investor confidence in German startups.

Other notable companies, including solar unicorn 1Komma5° and process mining leader Celonis, are preparing for public listings. While 1Komma5° aims to expand its renewable energy platform across Europe by mid-2025, Celonis plans to go public within two years, valued at over $13 billion.

Despite regulatory hurdles and competition from hubs like London and Paris, Germany’s industrial legacy and government support, such as the €12 billion WIN program, provide strong foundations for startup growth and exits.

The Road Ahead For German IPOs

Germany’s IPO market is expected to remain strong in 2025, building on 2024’s four IPOs that raised $2.2 billion. Improving economic conditions and strong investor interest in profitable companies with proven business models, particularly in AI, fintech, and climate tech, suggest a thriving market. Munich is emerging as a key hub for deep tech, particularly aerospace and robotics.

DeepL’s anticipated IPO could inspire more exits in Germany’s startup ecosystem throughout 2025. With robust investment trends and global recognition of German deep tech companies, more startups may pursue public listings or strategic acquisitions this year.

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