Cyprus’ potato growers recently requested a meeting with the president, claiming that the ongoing hikes in the cost of fertilizer and oil will prevent them from continuing to sow their crop.
“Potato farmers have no money to subsidize the product since the cost cannot be passed on to the consumer. With the costs that exist due to constant increases in the prices of oil, fertilizers, and others, farmers can no longer afford to work,” president of the organizing committee of potato farmers Andreas Karyos said, cited by Cyprus Mail.
Beginning in July, representatives from agricultural organizations met with MPs to examine the issue and offer potential solutions.
According to Karyos, if the meeting with the president does not take place, the organizing committee will discuss further measures. They had already had a meeting with the agriculture minister and were not satisfied with the monetary compensation offered, he said.
“It will not be enough for their survival”, Karyos added. “After the coronavirus pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and the increases in oil, potatoes transported in refrigerated containers take one to one and a half months to reach European countries.”
Karyos said 80% of Cyprus potato production was exported to Europe between March and June.
And the Meeting Took Place
Based on informations provided by the same press source, President Nicos Anastasiades promised potato farmers on July 6 that the government would support them and they should be “absolutely sure of that”.
The president was in Xylofagou to open a new citizens service centre in the Famagusta district village and local farmers had brought their tractors in advance to protest. Anastasiades was met by a group of the farmer when he arrived and spoke with them, saying he was “always at their side”.
When asked by journalists, about the issues being faced by the farmers due to high cost of fertiliser and fuel, the president said: “It is not only potato producers, but because I am in the region and of course I have a special sensitivity… we are always and will remain on the side of the agricultural world. Therefore, we will soon be at the presidential palace to see what it is that we can contribute to. We have never been indifferent to the problems faced by our rural compatriots,” he added.
The potato farmers have been demanding a meeting with the president, saying they can no longer continue planting due to the high cost.
“Potato farmers have no money to subsidise the product since the cost cannot be passed on to the consumer,” they said. “Farmers can no longer afford to work,” president of the organising committee of potato farmers Andreas Karyos said.
In 2022, the approximate price range for Cyprus Potatoes is between USD0.74 and USD0.58 per kilogram.
