An excess of fruit and vegetables is piling up in Cypriot stores and supermarkets, despite most of the produce being offered for sale at €1 per kilo or less. Subsequently, Cypriot farmers are struggling to cover their expenses as they are receiving just €5 for a 10-15kg crate of produce.
Markets are currently selling tomatoes and cucumbers for 60 cents per kilo or under, marrows for 80 cents per kilo, and cauliflower, carrots and artichokes at 50 cents a bunch.
Aubergines cost €1.20 per kilo and taro (kolokasi) 90 cents per kilo while small taro roots known as ‘baby taro’ (poulles) cost more at €1.50 per kilo. Potatoes and onions are a cheaper 50 cents per kilo.
Seasonal fruits and mushrooms are also cheap. Some varieties of mushroom cost just 80 cents per kilo while a kilo of oranges sell for 70 cents. Cypriot apples cost 80 cents per kilo and Cypriot bananas 70 cents per kilo.
Cyprus Association of Fruit Shop Owners chairman Polis Kattasis called on the state to take action to limit imports from overseas as well as, temporarily at least, preventing fruit and vegetables from being brought across the Green Line from Turkish Cyprus.
Kattasis also called on the state to take action and bring all those involved in the retail commerce in Cyprus under one ‘umbrella’ to bring about order and ensure fairer competition.
In Cyprus