Cyprus Faces Severe Drought, Calls for EU Support and Diversification

Cyprus Minister of Agriculture, Maria Panayiotou, highlighted the country's severe drought affecting key production sectors, resulting in losses of up to 100% for the third consecutive year. The Minister emphasized the need for flexible support measures and additional financial tools beyond the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to aid the EU agricultural sector. The EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council discussed market conditions, protein production, and the sustainability of the sector, with Cyprus' dependence on imported protein-rich foods and animal feed also being a concern. Panayiotou held a bilateral meeting with Ireland's Minister for Agriculture, Martin Heydon, to discuss shared issues and potential cooperation between the two countries.

Key Takeaways:

• Cyprus is facing its third consecutive year of severe drought, resulting in total losses of up to 100% in key production sectors.
• Minister Maria Panayiotou called for the design of flexible support schemes using additional funding tools outside the CAP framework to support the EU agricultural sector.
• Cyprus is heavily dependent on imported protein-rich foods, particularly animal feed, and imports are estimated to be a significant share of the country's total imports.
• Panayiotou emphasized the importance of trade diversification to mitigate the risks of new dependencies on third countries.
• The EU should invest in initiatives that cover the full spectrum of protein utilization, including production, distribution, and consumption.
• The EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council also discussed market conditions, supply, and sustainability of the protein production sector.
• Cyprus and Ireland have expressed interest in strengthening cooperation in agriculture, with Cyprus to take over the EU Council Presidency in 2026.

Statistics:

• Cyprus has experienced three consecutive years of severe drought, resulting in total losses of up to 100% in key production sectors.
• Imports of protein-rich foods account for a significant share of Cyprus' total imports.
• The report did not provide specific import figures.
• The Cyprus Ministry of Agriculture predicts a significant impact on the country's agricultural sector due to the drought.
• The EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council discussed market conditions, supply, and sustainability of the protein production sector, but did not release any statistics on this topic.

Sources:

• A press release from the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Cyprus.
• Statement by Maria Panayiotou, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Cyprus.
• EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting minutes, dated July, 2023.