Meat shortages in the north only about one third of local demand, a situation that is driving up prices, particularly for red meat, and at the same time leading to what is described as “smuggling” from the south, it was reported following an extraordinary meeting between the butchers’ association and the chamber of small and medium sized enterprises.
According to Kibris, the president of the butchers’ association in the north, Rasit Senkaya, said that in 2025 some 137,000 small animals and 18,500 large animals were slaughtered at abattoirs, corresponding to around 7.7 million kilograms of meat production, which meets only one third of the territory’s needs.
Senkaya said proper planning is not possible due to the unknown number of animals ready for slaughter and called for all slaughtering to be carried out through a single centre using a cooperative model. He also said all animals should be recorded prior to slaughter, with remaining livestock needs covered through rapid imports.
He said price increases stem from inadequate supply and pointed to the cooperative model supported by both the farmers’ association and the chamber of small and medium businesses as a solution. What is crucial, he added, is the urgent identification of the number of animals ready for slaughter.
Senkaya claimed that between 60 and 65 percent of meat needs are covered from southern Cyprus and 35 to 40 percent from local production, calling this the core problem. He questioned why the occupied areas rely on the south, asking whether this constitutes imports under illegal and unhealthy conditions.
According to Senkaya, the producers’ and livestock association also estimates that around half of meat needs are covered from the south. He argued that the solution lies in domestic production and controlled imports.
He further said that failure to meet local meat needs means that a shift of economic activity to the south is being tolerated, criticising the 'government' and the 'agriculture minister' for knowingly allowing the illicit trade.
Source: CNA