Breaking news

Cyprus Ranks Last In EU For Precision Agriculture Adoption

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

July 27, 2026

Just 1% of Cyprus’ utilised agricultural area was managed in 2023 by holdings using precision agriculture technologies, according to data published Friday by Eurostat. That was the lowest share in the European Union, highlighting the country’s slow adoption of digital farming tools as agriculture becomes increasingly technology-driven across Europe.

A Clear Divide Across Europe

At the other end of the spectrum, Luxembourg, Finland and Estonia reported that more than 75% of utilised agricultural area was managed by farms using precision agriculture techniques.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

In Greece and Romania, the corresponding shares ranged between 10% and 15%, placing them well above Cyprus but still behind the EU’s leading countries.

Across the EU, about 18% of farms with utilised agricultural area used at least one precision agriculture technology or practice in 2023. Those holdings accounted for roughly 44% of the bloc’s total utilised agricultural area, suggesting adoption remains concentrated among larger or more technologically advanced farms.

What Precision Agriculture Includes

Precision agriculture covers a range of technologies designed to improve efficiency and reduce waste, including robotics, zone spraying for plant protection products, variable-rate application, crop monitoring and soil analysis.

Variable-rate technologies allow farmers to apply inputs automatically based on data from sensors, satellites or GPS systems, helping reduce costs, improve resource use and, in many cases, increase yields.

Connectivity Remains Key

Digital farming also depends on reliable internet access. Around 43% of EU agricultural holdings reported having internet access in 2023. In Denmark, Germany, Slovakia, Latvia, the Czech Republic and Austria, the share exceeded 90%.

Farm management information systems were used by about 11% of EU farms. France recorded the highest adoption rate, at around 60%, reflecting the wider use of digital management tools in agricultural operations.

Robotics Adoption Remains Limited

Robotics were used by about 7% of agricultural holdings across the EU in 2023. Eurostat defines robotics as machinery capable of operating autonomously without direct human intervention.

While digital technologies are becoming more common across European agriculture, the data show that adoption remains uneven. Cyprus continues to lag behind the rest of the EU, particularly in the use of precision farming technologies.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Shein Targets $25 Billion Valuation In Hong Kong IPO As Growth Slows

by News Editor

August 17, 2026

Shein is reportedly targeting a valuation of around $25 billion in its planned Hong Kong IPO, a sharp decline from the nearly $100 billion valuation the online fashion retailer achieved in a 2022 fundraising round.

Two people familiar with the plans said the company was likely to target about $25 billion, while another source put the expected range at $25 billion to $28 billion based on the proposed price band.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

IPO Valuation Falls Sharply

Shein plans to sell up to 8% of its shares in the offering, according to a person familiar with the plans. At a $25 billion valuation, that would translate into an IPO of as much as $2 billion.

The latest target is also below the $30 billion to $40 billion valuation the company was seeking earlier this month as it began meeting with potential investors.

Founded in China in 2012 and now headquartered in Singapore, Shein sells low-cost clothing to consumers in about 160 countries. The company is expected to launch its long-awaited Hong Kong IPO later this week.

Trade Restrictions Weigh On Growth

Shein’s valuation has come under pressure as major markets tighten rules affecting low-cost e-commerce shipments. The European Union, for example, has moved to impose additional fees on cheap parcels from platforms such as Shein and Temu. EU Tightens Rules On Low-Cost E-Commerce Parcels

In the U.S., the removal of an import duty exemption for small packages has also affected the company. Shein reported a $99 million quarterly loss in the first quarter of 2026 as sales growth slowed, while a one-time accounting charge further weighed on its results. Shein Reports First-Quarter Loss Ahead Of IPO

Investors Question Shein’s Growth Prospects

The steep reduction in valuation reflects growing concerns over slower growth, higher trade costs, regulatory pressure and stronger competition across global e-commerce.

Some investors who reviewed Shein’s recent financial statements or attended IPO presentations told Reuters they were skeptical that the company could return to the growth rates that supported its $98.2 billion valuation in 2022. Shein’s Slowing Growth Tests Investor Appetite

A lower IPO valuation could also affect Shein’s existing investors. Under the terms of its IPO filing, the company may have to issue additional shares to certain pre-IPO investors if its valuation falls below agreed thresholds.