The Cypriot fresh produce industry is in an optimistic mood after two years of decent rainfall.
Rainfall started in early September last year, which is unusual for Cyprus, and in the previous season the country received its first substantial amount of rain in five years.
The rainfall has particularly helped the citrus season in Cyprus, which is now producing good-quality, shiny fruit of a larger-than-average size, and yield is up by four per cent.
The quality of the Cypriot herb crop is also expected to be better quality thanks to the extra rainfall, and demand from the UK for Cypriot potatoes is up.
George Hadjiafxentis, senior commercial officer of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism in Cyprus, told freshinfo: “The brilliant event is that we have rain. We are in the happy position to offer customers quality - unfortunately, due to the economic crisis, we are receiving the same price as last year. But we hope that the increase in citrus yields will continue throughout the season and raise our income.”
Water issues have plagued the Cypriot fresh produce industry; work on the country’s fourth desalination plant will be completed in two months’ time and a fifth is due for completion by this time next year.
