Cyprus Puts Halloumi And Food Exports In The Spotlight At SIAL Paris 2026

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

November 2, 2026

Cyprus brought 28 food and beverage companies to SIAL Paris 2026, using one of the industry’s largest international trade fairs to promote its national products and explore new export opportunities. Halloumi, the island’s flagship cheese and a product with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status in the European Union, was central to the country’s presence.

Held from October 17 to 21 at Paris Nord Villepinte, the biennial exhibition was organized by Comexposium. According to Cyprus’s Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry, this year’s event brought together 8,000 exhibitors from 130 countries and approximately 295,000 trade visitors.

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SIAL is a major global platform for food and beverage businesses to present products, assess market trends and build commercial relationships. Cyprus participated with two national pavilions covering a combined area of about 356 square meters.

Halloumi Takes Center Stage

Thirteen Cypriot companies exhibited in the national dairy pavilion in Hall 7, where the country gave halloumi a prominent showcase. Promotional materials highlighted the “Halloumi®” name and the European PDO designation, while a large section of the hall entrance was dedicated to the cheese.

An interactive touchscreen, titled “Discover Halloumi,” introduced visitors to the product’s characteristics and the Cypriot dairies behind it. The presentation connected the cheese’s international profile with its protected origin and local production base.

A Broader Showcase Of Cypriot Food

A second national pavilion in Hall 2 featured 15 more Cypriot businesses, presenting a diverse range of products from the country’s food industry. These included olive oil, olives, honey, bulgur, fruit juices, nuts, dried fruit, herbal infusions, coffee, frozen foods and vegan products.

Visitors could use an interactive display to learn about participating businesses and their products. A dedicated quiz offered another way to introduce attendees to Cyprus’s food production.

Building Export Reach

The ministry said Cyprus’s participation demonstrated both the strength of established products such as halloumi and the breadth of the country’s wider food sector. A coordinated presence at major trade fairs, it added, can help local companies raise their international profile and identify potential commercial partners.

For Cyprus, the strategy combines the promotion of a globally recognized specialty with exposure for a wider portfolio of domestic products. The ministry reaffirmed its support for efforts to market Cypriot goods abroad, with the aim of strengthening the presence of local businesses in international markets and creating further opportunities for export growth.

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Cyta Plans €70 Million Investment Budget For 2027, Including Renewable Energy Expansion

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

November 2, 2026

Cyprus telecommunications provider Cyta has budgeted €70 million for investments in 2027, with funding earmarked for a new data center and an initial move into renewable energy. The investment budget is 75% higher than the €40 million allocated for 2026.

According to an explanatory note accompanying the budget submitted to Parliament, the funds will support subsidiaries responsible for delivering two major projects. The budget does not specify how much will go toward each project.

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A New Data Center And A Renewable Energy Business

The first project is a new data center, which Cyta expects to complete over two years. The organization says the facility will serve its customers, Cyprus-based businesses, government and other public-sector bodies, as well as customers abroad.

The second project involves renewable energy. Cyta plans to enter the energy market commercially, including by meeting the power needs of its new data center. The budget provides no further details about the scale or structure of the energy investment.

Parliament cleared the way for Cyta to operate in the energy sector last March, approving legislation that allows the organization to participate through renewable energy sources. An amendment passed by a majority bars it from investing in conventional fuels. The move was opposed by the Electricity Authority of Cyprus, or EAC.

Cyta has said it intends to focus on consumers who cannot readily access renewable energy themselves. Its target groups include young couples renting homes, apartment residents and small businesses that lack suitable space to install their own solar panels.

Pension Fund Deficit Continues To Grow

The budget also highlights a widening actuarial deficit in Cyta’s employee pension scheme. A recent actuarial study put the funding shortfall at €211.56 million as of December 31, 2025, up from €140.07 million a year earlier and €85.59 million at the end of 2023.

In response, Cyta’s board increased the annual contribution rate to 4.6%, from 3.9%, and approved a schedule of payments intended to clear the deficit over eight years. The organization will pay €30 million this year, followed by €23 million in 2027 and €25 million in 2028.

From 2029 through 2032, annual payments are set at €33.391 million. A final payment of €29.54 million is scheduled for 2033.

Revenue And Surplus Forecast To Rise

Cyta’s 2027 budget forecasts a pre-tax surplus of €40.09 million and a post-tax surplus of €34.92 million. The projected pre-tax surplus is 14.85% higher than in 2026, an increase of €5.2 million.

Revenue is forecast to reach €478.48 million in 2027, up 6.2% from €450.57 million in 2026. Budgeted expenses are €438.39 million, compared with €415.67 million this year.

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