The Council of Cypriot Potatoes (SEKP) is poised to enter a new era as it embraces a comprehensive operational reform aimed at lowering costs and ensuring long-term industry sustainability. This change comes on the heels of the Ministerial Council’s decision to approve the “Modifier Act on the Marketing of Cypriot Potatoes 2025,” a legislative initiative that promises to reshape the sector.
Modern Legislative Framework for Enhanced Efficiency
Submitted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment, the proposed bill seeks not only to update existing protocols but also to transform the SEKP. Under the new framework, a private company wholly owned by the SEKP will be established to manage essential operations more flexibly and cost-effectively. Although the new law is slated for implementation on October 1, 2026, current legislative provisions will remain in force until then, ensuring a seamless transition.
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Cost Optimization and Institutional Modernization
The creation of a dedicated private entity is designed to streamline the operational burdens currently borne by the SEKP, which has played a pivotal role in supporting Cyprus’s dominant potato production and export market. This reform not only aims to cut operational expenses but also reinforces the continued functioning of the SEKP as a public legal body—a balancing act between modern efficiency and traditional public oversight.
Sector Impact and Export Performance
With approximately 1,300 potato producers in Cyprus—half of whom rely on the SEKP for packaging and marketing—the potato industry stands as the country’s most significant agricultural sector by volume. Overall, potatoes contribute 23.2% to the total production tonnage, with exports predominantly destined for Greece, the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, and Poland. Recent statistics highlight that during the first half of 2025, potato exports reached €37 million, underscoring the commodity’s crucial role in the national economy.
Governance Reforms and Structural Adjustments
The proposed legislation also calls for a reconstitution of the SEKP’s Administrative Board—reducing its size from 11 to 7 members—with updated representation from key government and agricultural bodies. Specific measures include the abolition of the General Director’s position and a narrowed scope for the board’s authority to hire new personnel. Additionally, mechanisms have been introduced allowing the SEKP to secure loans under ministerial oversight, ensuring financial fluidity during the restructuring process.
A Forward-Looking Vision for the Potato Sector
This ground-breaking reform, shaped by extensive public and institutional consultations since February 2025, represents a decisive step towards modernizing Cyprus’s agricultural institutions. The SEKP, despite longstanding structural challenges, has remained an essential pillar in promoting potato exports. Under the new model, the organization is set to operate more effectively, ensuring that the interests of potato producers and associated agricultural businesses are safeguarded well into the future.
Minister Maria Panagiotou, having received authorization from the Ministerial Council, is now set to present the bill to the House of Representatives for discussion and vote. With the option for further technical legislative adjustments during parliamentary proceedings, this initiative underscores a steadfast commitment to advancing a sector that is central to the nation’s agricultural success.
