Is the World Facing a Feta Shortage? What You Need to Know

Is the World Facing a Feta Shortage? What You Need to Know

Greece’s famous feta is facing some uncertainty as a viral outbreak sweeps through the country’s sheep and goat herds, leaving cheese lovers and industry insiders asking: could our favorite briny cheese become scarce?

What’s Happening in Greece?

Since August 2024, Greece has been dealing with an outbreak of sheep pox and goat pox (SPGP), a highly contagious virus affecting sheep and goats. Around 420,000 animals have been culled in an effort to contain the disease, which spreads through close contact, aerosols, and even biting insects. While SPGP isn’t dangerous to humans, it’s a serious headache for farmers—once one animal falls ill, entire herds often need to be culled.

The virus is stubborn. It can linger in wool for up to two months and survive on farms for half a year, meaning rigorous biosecurity is a must. Vaccines exist, but immunized animals—and their milk—can’t be exported for long periods, complicating trade.

Why It Matters for Feta Lovers

About 80% of Greece’s sheep and goat milk goes into feta, and Greece exports roughly 65% of that each year. In 2024 alone, feta exports raked in €785 million ($913 million). The outbreak is concentrated in key production regions, like Thessaly, which produces nearly half of Greece’s soft cheese, 70% of it feta. So even small losses in livestock can ripple through the global cheese market.

Are We Actually Facing a Shortage?

For now, the answer is cautiously “no.” Milk production has held steady because not all culled animals were milked. But the situation is fluid: if the outbreak worsens or containment fails, the global supply of authentic Greek feta could tighten.

Greek authorities are taking aggressive measures: ramping up veterinary inspections, controlling farm access, setting up disinfection points, and restricting animal movement in affected areas. These efforts aim to keep milk production stable while preventing the virus from spreading further.

The Takeaway

Feta fans don’t need to panic just yet. The outbreak is serious, but production has so far weathered the storm. That said, the situation underscores how fragile global food supplies can be—and how a virus in one corner of the world can make a ripple all the way to your cheese board.

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Resources:

Dairy Reporter: Greek sheep virus threatens feta supply

Discover Magazine: Global Feta Cheese Supply Threatened as Virus Kills Almost 500,000 Goats and Sheep in Greece | Discover Magazine

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