Cyprus has launched its first public consultation on priorities for the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for 2028–2034, as the country prepares for changes to agricultural funding, climate adaptation and rural development.

The consultation opened at the Mountainous Larnaca Environmental Information Centre in Skarinou, attended by Agriculture Minister Christos Senekis, Commissioner for Agricultural Payments Andreas Kyprianou and Permanent Secretary of the Directorate-General for Development Penelope Papavasileiou.

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€2.3 Billion Framework Offers New Opportunities

Under the European Commission’s proposal, Cyprus would receive approximately €2.3 billion through its National Plan, including €415.9 million specifically allocated to agricultural income support and CAP measures.

By comparison, the current 2023–2027 CAP Strategic Plan has €373 million in European funding over five years. The new framework would give Cyprus greater flexibility to allocate additional National Plan resources to agricultural interventions, investment, generational renewal, risk management, environmental measures, climate adaptation and rural development, according to identified needs.

Cyprus has also secured a provision requiring at least 10% of National Plan resources beyond the guaranteed CAP allocation to support projects and interventions in rural areas.

Improving Access To Finance

On 29 April 2026, the Council of Ministers approved a scheme to facilitate investment lending for farmers, with implementation expected in the near term. Better access to credit could help producers address rising costs, water scarcity and the need to modernise their operations.

A New Structure For Agricultural Funding

From 2028, the CAP is expected to become part of a broader National and Regional Partnership Plan for Cyprus, replacing the standalone Strategic Plan used in the current cycle. This integrated framework aims to improve coordination with Cohesion Policy and Fisheries Policy while placing greater emphasis on measurable objectives and results.

During negotiations under Cyprus’ presidency of the Council of the EU, the government also opposed an initial European Commission proposal to exclude farmers who had reached retirement age from direct payments. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Cyprus argued that the measure would harm a sector in which many older farmers remain active. The provision was subsequently removed from the final text.

Addressing Agriculture’s Structural Challenges

Cyprus’ agricultural and livestock sectors face high production costs, prolonged drought, climate change, an ageing farming population and administrative complexity. The next CAP cycle is expected to help improve competitiveness, encourage younger generations to enter farming and support more sustainable production.

To gather producers’ views, the Department of Agriculture has launched an online questionnaire covering six key areas:

• The main challenges facing Cypriot agriculture in 2028–2034.
• Which agricultural sectors should receive priority.
• Which criteria should carry the most weight when allocating support.
• Which investments would most improve competitiveness.
• Which measures would be most effective in attracting young farmers.
• Where CAP procedures need to be simplified.

Participants can also submit suggestions for new measures and improvements to existing policies. Through this consultation, authorities aim to ensure that the needs of farmers, livestock breeders and rural communities are reflected in Cyprus’ final priorities.

Consultation Continues Through 2027

The first consultation phase will run until the end of November 2026, with written recommendations accepted by the Department of Agriculture. A second round is planned for 2027, following preparation of the draft CAP chapter.

Over the next seven years, the resulting framework will help determine how Cyprus allocates agricultural support and responds to the economic, environmental and demographic pressures facing rural communities.