A traditional sheep cheese from the Istrian peninsula, produced in both Slovenia and Croatia, has been granted Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status at the European level. Known as Istrski ovčji sir in Slovenian and Istarski ovčji sir in Croatian, the cheese reflects the peninsula’s distinctive cultural and environmental influences.
The EU Commission noted that Croatia’s mild sub-Mediterranean coast and Slovenia’s mountainous terrains shape the grazing conditions for the native Istriana sheep, giving the cheese its characteristic salty, spicy flavour and aromatic notes.
Regional nuances, combined with long-standing cheesemaking traditions, contribute to its unique taste on both sides of the border.
With this listing, only cheese produced in the designated Istrian region using milk from Istriana sheep and traditional methods may carry the name. It becomes the fifth joint Slovenian-Croatian product protected under EU quality schemes, joining Istrian prosciutto, Istrian olive oil, Istrian beef (Boškarin), and Istrian honey.
