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Cyprus Confronts Water Crisis: Government Ramps Up Action To Ensure Supply

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 3, 2025

As Cyprus braces for another dry summer, the government is ramping up efforts to protect water resources and lessen dependence on unpredictable climate patterns. Authorities are implementing both immediate and long-term measures to safeguard agriculture and secure water access. With dam reserves at just 26% capacity, authorities prioritize immediate and long-term solutions to sustain agriculture and ensure water availability.

Government Strategy To Manage Water Scarcity

Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment, Maria Panayiotou, outlined a 28-action strategic plan aimed at reducing reliance on rainfall-dependent irrigation. The five-year initiative focuses on improving water management, expanding desalination infrastructure, and exploring alternative water sources.

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Investment Breakdown:

€109.3 million: Primary sector development (2024-2028)
€2.9 million: Agro-tourism, infrastructure, and circular economy in Arakapas The village of Arakapas benefits from €2.9 million allocated for agro-tourism, infrastructure, and circular economy projects.

Authorities Brace For A Difficult Summer

Deputy Director of the Water Development Department, Yiorgos Kazantzis, warned that irrigation water quotas will be drastically reduced in 2024. To mitigate the impact, priority will be given to professional farmers and permanent plantations.

Authorities are fast-tracking desalination projects. The Paphos desalination plant, currently under repair, is expected to be operational by August. A new 10,000 cubic meter/day desalination facility in Kissonerga is set for completion by October. Officials are also identifying underutilized boreholes and underground sources with the Geological Survey Department.

Encouraging Private Sector Involvement

The Cyprus Cabinet has approved measures allowing hotels and farmers to build private desalination plants, easing pressure on public infrastructure. Authorities are also ensuring that existing desalination plants operate at full capacity, except during maintenance.

Public Awareness And Conservation Efforts

Government-led water conservation campaigns stress the urgency of reducing wasteful consumption. Without public cooperation, Cyprus risks facing stricter water restrictions in 2025, when irrigation quotas could be further tightened.

With climate change exacerbating water shortages, Cyprus must act swiftly. Investments in desalination, groundwater extraction, and efficiency measures offer a proactive approach, but execution is critical. The success of these initiatives will be critical in securing Cyprus’ water future amid growing climate challenges.

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EU Farm Output Prices Decline For The First Time In Nine Months

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

March 12, 2026

EU Market Adjustments Signal New Price Trends

Agricultural output prices across the European Union declined in the fourth quarter of 2025, marking a shift after several quarters of increases. Data from Eurostat shows that farm gate prices fell by 1.9% compared with the same period in 2024.

Crisis of Declining Prices In Select Markets

Cyprus recorded one of the more notable decreases in agricultural input costs among EU member states, with prices falling by 2.6% compared with Q4 2024. The reduction eased cost pressures for the local agricultural sector following periods of higher prices earlier in 2025. Across the EU, prices for goods and services consumed in agriculture remained relatively stable. Non-investment inputs such as energy, fertilisers and feedingstuffs showed limited overall changes during the quarter.

Country-Specific Divergence In Price Movements

Eurostat data highlights considerable variation across member states. Fifteen EU countries recorded declines in agricultural output prices. Belgium registered the largest decrease at 12.9%, followed by Lithuania (8.2%) and Germany (6.0%). At the same time, twelve countries reported increases in output prices. Ireland recorded the strongest rise at 6.8%, followed by Slovenia (5.6%) and Malta (4.2%).

Stability In Agricultural Inputs Amid Commodity Shifts

Agricultural input prices also showed mixed developments. Eleven member states recorded declines, including Cyprus (2.6%), Belgium (2.1%) and Sweden (2.0%). Other countries experienced moderate increases, including Lithuania (4.2%), Ireland (3.3%) and Romania (2.5%). Among major agricultural commodities, milk prices declined by 4.1% while cereal prices fell by 8.9% across the EU. In contrast, fertilisers and soil improvers increased by 7.9%, reflecting continued volatility in input markets.

Outlook For EU Agriculture

The latest Eurostat data points to uneven price developments across the EU agricultural sector. While input prices remained broadly stable in many markets, movements in output prices varied significantly between member states. These trends highlight the need for farmers and policymakers to adapt to shifting commodity prices and changing cost structures across the European agricultural market.