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Rising Motor Vehicle Costs and Wholesale Trade Growth in Cyprus

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 7, 2024

The automotive sector in Cyprus is witnessing a marked increase in both sales and service costs, according to recent data. This trend reflects broader economic shifts impacting the country, as well as a resurgence in wholesale trade, driven by changing consumer demand and global economic conditions.

Sales of motor vehicles have continued to climb throughout 2024, with higher demand leading to increased prices for both new and used cars. Several factors contribute to this surge, including persistent inflation, rising production costs, and global supply chain disruptions. These challenges, compounded by the limited availability of certain vehicle models, have resulted in higher prices, putting pressure on consumers.

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Vehicle servicing costs have also seen a notable uptick, further burdening car owners. The rise in maintenance expenses can be attributed to the increasing cost of spare parts, many of which are imported and affected by supply chain issues. Additionally, the global shortage of semiconductors—vital components in modern vehicles—has significantly driven up repair costs for electronic systems, which now play a critical role in most automobiles. This has made routine services, as well as more complex repairs, more expensive than in previous years.

The automotive industry’s inflationary pressures are not limited to Cyprus; these trends mirror global challenges, where many countries are facing similar cost increases. The international market volatility, exacerbated by the ongoing war in Ukraine, has led to fluctuations in fuel prices, further impacting vehicle ownership and operational costs.

In parallel, Cyprus is also seeing a rise in wholesale trade activity, which has recorded significant growth in recent months. The wholesale trade sector, benefiting from an increase in consumer demand across various industries, is playing a crucial role in supporting the country’s economic recovery. The expansion of wholesale trade is closely linked to sectors like retail, construction, and agriculture, which are seeing renewed investment and growth. As supply chain disruptions gradually ease and inventories stabilise, businesses are looking to wholesale traders to provide the necessary goods to meet rising consumer needs.

The strengthening of the wholesale trade sector suggests a broader positive trajectory for the Cypriot economy. However, challenges remain, particularly for industries that rely heavily on imports, as they continue to face higher input costs. Businesses are increasingly having to navigate these rising costs while trying to keep prices competitive, a delicate balancing act that requires strategic planning and efficiency improvements.

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Only 1% Of Cyprus Farms Use Precision Farming Technologies

Cyprus remains one of the European Union’s least digitised agricultural economies, with just 1% of farms using precision farming technologies in 2023, according to Eurostat.

The findings come as the EU continues to encourage the adoption of digital tools aimed at improving agricultural productivity, efficiency and sustainability.

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Internet Access Expands, But Digital Uptake Lags

Internet access has improved across the bloc, although adoption remains uneven. Eurostat found that 43% of EU farms had internet access in 2023, with northern and central European countries leading the way.

Denmark, Germany, Slovakia, Latvia, the Czech Republic and Austria all reported internet access rates above 90%.

Greater connectivity, however, has not translated into widespread digital adoption. Farm management information systems, which help farmers manage day-to-day operations, were used by only about 11% of EU farms. France was a notable exception, with around 60% of farms using the technology.

Precision Farming Concentrated In Larger Operations

Robotics adoption also remained relatively limited, with only about 7% of EU farms using robotic technologies. Overall, around 18% of farms with utilised agricultural area employed at least one precision farming technology or practice in 2023.

These included robotics for plant protection, band spraying, variable-rate application, precision crop monitoring and soil analysis. Despite representing fewer than one in five farms, these holdings accounted for around 44% of the EU’s utilised agricultural area.

The figures suggest that precision farming remains concentrated among larger agricultural businesses, where investment in digital technologies is typically easier to support.

Cyprus Lags Behind EU Leaders

Luxembourg, Finland and Estonia recorded the highest shares of utilised agricultural area managed by farms using precision farming technologies, each exceeding 75%.

At the other end of the ranking, Cyprus recorded just 1%, while Greece and Romania reported between 10% and 15%. The results indicate that Cyprus remains at an early stage of digital adoption in agriculture, even as precision farming becomes more widespread across parts of the European Union.