Demand for Cypriot products, including local lamb, remains strong ahead of Easter and supply is adequate, Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou said on Thursday following inspection visits to supermarkets and a fruit and vegetable retailer in the Nicosia district. She called on consumers to support local livestock farmers at a difficult time for the sector.
Panayiotou visited the Metro supermarket in Platy Aglandjia, the Mikropolys supermarket in the Athalassa area of Strovolos, and the Dimitrakos fruit and vegetable shop in Strovolos, accompanied by ministry officials as part of the pre-Easter inspections carried out annually by the relevant departments.
Speaking after her visit to Mikropolys, the minister said that based on information from the Veterinary Services, slaughter numbers are tracking at similar levels to last year, with some variation and increases expected in the coming days as culling continues. Prices are also in line with last year and no shortages have been observed.
She said inspections are intensive, with the Department of Agriculture checking the quality of perishable goods and Veterinary Services monitoring animal products, while the number of seizures remains low and comparable to last year.
Panayiotou described the government's consumer support package of over €200 million, which includes a reduction in VAT on meat, poultry and fish, as having "a very positive impact," based on feedback from both supermarket owners and consumers.
On the foot-and-mouth outbreak and its impact on the livestock sector, the minister said the visit was also intended "to send a clear message once again that we support local products and our livestock farmers." She stressed that products reaching consumers have been inspected and are safe. "Citizens can eat meat this Easter without any concern," she said.
Demand for Cypriot products, she added, is running above initial projections in some cases. "This is very pleasing and very important. This year we have one more reason to support our livestock farmers as consumers. The government and the Ministry of Agriculture have supported them from the very first moment. Payments and compensation are proceeding normally. Those entitled to the first package have already seen the funds in their accounts before Easter, and we are continuing. Let us also set a good table this year and support them."
Culling figures
Director of Veterinary Services Christodoulos Pipis said approximately 20,000 goats and sheep and around 190 cattle have been culled to date. He confirmed that culling is continuing and is expected to intensify over the coming days, and estimated that total Easter demand will be in line with last year, at between 35,000 and 40,000 goats and sheep for consumer tables.
On the question of product withdrawals, Pipis clarified that seizures are not related to food safety concerns but to the appearance of certain cuts that may not meet commercial standards preferred by consumers, and are withdrawn as a precaution to avoid misinterpretation. He also said that far from hesitancy, consumer preference is running toward Cypriot products, with supermarket managers reporting strong demand for local lamb even as imported meat from Greece and Romania is also available.
Fruit and vegetable prices
Senior Product Inspection Officer Artemis Melifronidou said prices for fruit and vegetables are slightly higher in some cases compared to last year, which she linked to recent weather conditions. She said the overall supply is abundant and varied, and that on-site inspections confirmed product quality is meeting the required standards.
Following her supermarket visits, the minister also stopped at a foot-and-mouth surveillance zone checkpoint in Dali, where she was briefed on the implementation of containment measures. She presented Easter candles to the staff manning the checkpoints, which operate on a 24-hour basis.
Source: CNA