Citrus fruit, marketed under the Cypria label, contributes hugely to the export success story. The Cypriot Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism predicts that around 70,000 tonnes of Cypria citrus fruit will be exported in 2004, with the majority destined for the UK.
Over the last five years, Cyprus has enjoyed increased exports for grapefruit, both white and red varieties, lemons and Valencia Late oranges. In addition, most recently, particular sales success has been seen with the country’s production of easy peelers, Cyprus minneolas, novas and especially mandoras, with the first shipment of this year’s crop expected to arrive in the UK before the end of January.
Cyprus’ reservoirs are nearly at full capacity for the first time in many years, which allowed producers to regularly irrigate groves were throughout the summer months. Cypriot agribusiness was given a further boost by a massive investment in an irrigation project that has allowed the opening up of an additional 100,000 acres of land in the flat and very fertile coastal plains along the southern coastline. Water from the Troodos mountains is used to feed an intricate system of reservoirs and irrigation channels which has already resulted in increased production of citrus fruit.
Growers in Cyprus are supported in their efforts by government advisory services including specialist research centres such as the Agricultural Research Institute, which is constantly experimenting with new varieties of produce and growing techniques. A government inspection service works closely with both producers and exporters to ensure that strict international standards are maintained for export.
Ioannis Shekeris, commercial counsellor at the Cyprus High Commission, says: “The food and drink industry is an integral part of the economy of Cyprus. It is the country’s major export industry and also key to its tourism and travel markets. In order to compete in European markets our high standards need to be maintained. As a result there has been a greater focus on the use of refrigerated containers and there has also been investment in quality assurance facilities at ports, both air and sea.”
All citrus is packed in registered packhouses under the strict supervision of the Produce Inspection Service of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism.
Cyprus also has high ambitions for expansion of its organic production programmes. Shekeris says: “The area under organic management has been growing by 80 per cent annually and last year it amounted to almost 2,500 hectares. The UK is the largest importer of organic citrus fruit and this is a major opportunity for Cyprus.”
The country’s impending accession to the EU will have an effect on exporters’ businesses. At the moment they receive a subsidy for each tonne they send to eastern European countries. On joining the EU this will stop. However, there will be incentives for producers, as any products that are not suitable for export can be put forward for juicing and subsidies will be available.
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