Batten down the hatches, call your loved ones, and eat that delicious piece of halloumi cheese like it's your last - because it very well could be.
Yes, there's a global shortage on the Cypriot cheese and we're not handling it well.
Government officials are trying to give the salty cheese protected status in Cyprus, designed to protect regional foods from imitation.
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They want the cheese, which is considered to originate from the Mediterranean country, to be granted EU-protected designation of origin status with specific rules on how its made.
New rules would mean the cheese has to be made from 50 per cent Cypriot sheep and goat's milk and 50 per cent Cypriot cow's milk.
But while this will be a success for the cheese's legacy, it's a nightmare for farmers as exports of the cheese will drop dramatically. According to the Daily Mail, exports will drop by 60 per cent.
A nation of cheese lovers, Britain will feel the feel the affects of the cheese shortage the most, buying up a massive 40 per cent of all exports.
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Currently, halloumi only has to be 20 per cent sheep and goat's milk.
Aside from milk stipulations, new rules state that each sheep and goat must be a certain breed native to the island - bad news for farmers as herds of the animals are still suffering after an outbreak of scrapie disease 10 years ago.
To make matters more complicated, farmers would also have to make sure their sheep, goats and cows are grazing on five specific plants, three of which are protected.
While the thought of a halloumi shortage fills us with dread, the plans are set to be a disaster for makers of the cheese, so spare a thought for them.
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*Stocks up on all halloumi in supermarket immediately.*
Featured Image Credit: Wikimedia CommonsTopics: Tasty Food, Halloumi, Food And Drink