Description Citrus is one the most important crops in Cyprus . The area under citrus was reduced from 7200 ha, representing 5,3 % of the total cropped area and 18% of the irrigated land in 1995. The 5465 ha, representing 4% of the total cropped area or 15% of the irrigated land in 2000. After the Turkish invasion of 1974 and the occupation of the main citrus producing areas of Morphou and Famagusta , citrus is mainly cultivated in the southwestern coast of the island and in the mountainous area of Arakapas where mandarin production is concentrated. Citrus production reached 127500 t in 2000 compared to 176000 t in 1995. Thirty four per cent were oranges, 22% grapefruit, 16% lemons and 28% mandarins. In the five year period 1996-2000, citrus contributed 4,7% to total value of agricultural production and their share of crop output averaged 9,7%. In the same period, citrus was one of the most important agricultural export commodities; however its importance is declining while its share to the raw agricultural exports was reduced from £18,1 million in 1996 to £12,8 million in 2000. Exports of oranges in 2000 declined by 42% of grapefruit were reduced by 56% and of lemons by 27% compared to 1995. Exports of mandarins and mandoras in the same period were tripled. The main export market for citrus are the U ? ,other European Union countries and Eastern Europe . Local per capita consumption of fresh fruits increased from 46,1 kg in 1995 to 50,9 kg in 2000. During the last decade most citrus producers, do not cover production costs due to the low prices in the export market and in the local processing industry. The government has launched a citrus restructuring scheme, which aims a) to the change or reduce some kinds or varieties of citrus where oversupply or change to consumer preferences is observed, b) to the reduction of cultivation in areas where it has been recorded shortage of irrigation water or the plantation are old (above 30 years) and c) to the replacement with varieties which better meet consumer preferences. The implementation of the plan started in 1998 and was terminated in 2002. According to the data available the area covered with citrus before the introduction of the plan was 6756 ha and the production reached 142500 t. At the end of 2001 the area cultivated with citrus declined by 19.5% and reached 5436 ha, while the production was 127000 t (10,8% lower). As a result of this restructuring plan it is expected that the quality of production will be improved since old plantations of lower quality and productivity have been abandoned. Additionally new varieties have been introduced that are expected to have better chances of success in the market. (Source: Norm input-output data for the main crop and livestock enterprises of Cyprus . Agricultural Research Institute. Nicosia - Cyprus )
Production of Oranges and Lemons until 2000
(Source: Norm input-output data for the main crop and livestock enterprises of Cyprus . Agricultural Research Institute. Nicosia - Cyprus )
Committee Board Committee Decisions and Announcements Arrangement of operation of sector in the European Union Negotiation with the European Union
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