EU–Mercosur Agreement Expands Trade Opportunities For Cyprus

EU – Mercosur Agreement As A Strategic Imperative

The EU–Mercosur trade agreement, currently under review by the European Court of Justice following a European Parliament decision, would establish one of the world’s largest free trade areas. The deal предусматриває phased tariff elimination on approximately 92% of Mercosur goods over 10 years.

Current EU tariffs on most agricultural and agro-food imports range between 10% and 20%. The agreement includes quota systems and safeguard mechanisms allowing temporary tariff reinstatement in cases of import surges or demonstrated harm to EU producers.

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

Deepening Trade Ties With Argentina

Data from Cyprus’ Ministry of Commerce for 2024 show significant reliance on Argentine soybean meal for animal feed. Imports reached €64.8 million, with Argentina covering 96.2% of Cyprus’ demand.

Imports from Brazil totaled €15.18 million, largely driven by coffee and concentrated fruit juices. Tariffs on soybean meal, currently between 10% and 14%, are expected to decline gradually to 0% during the transition period. Similar reductions apply to selected categories, including shelled peanuts and citrus products.

Brazil: A Critical Source Of Raw Materials And Industrial Goods

In 2024, Brazil supplied 80.06% of Cyprus’ imported unroasted coffee (€4.37 million) and 62.10% of concentrated orange juice imports (€6.35 million, 1.43 million kilograms).

Import duties vary by category. Coffee carries a 0% tariff, while fruit juices, footwear, vehicles, and machinery face duties ranging from 4% to 20%, reflecting broader EU trade structures.

Implications For Cypriot Exports

Cyprus’ exports to Argentina totaled €1.78 million in 2024. Machinery and mechanical equipment accounted for more than 55% of export value, followed by pharmaceuticals, plastic components, and water filtration systems.

Export volumes remain limited, highlighting the asymmetric structure of bilateral trade.

Looking Ahead: The EU – Mercosur Opportunity

The agreement предусматриває tariff elimination on approximately 91% of EU exports to Mercosur over a decade. For Cyprus, this could improve access to selected industrial and pharmaceutical products.

The economic impact will depend on implementation timelines and the ability of Cypriot firms to compete within Mercosur markets.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Cyprus Expected Working Life Reaches 39.5 Years, Above EU Average

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

July 20, 2026

People in Cyprus are expected to spend 39.5 years in the workforce, around two years longer than the European Union average of 37.5 years, according to the latest Eurostat data for 2025.

The figure places Cyprus among the EU countries with the longest expected working lives.

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

Cyprus Ranks Above EU Average

Only a handful of member states recorded higher figures than Cyprus. The Netherlands topped the ranking at 44 years, followed by Sweden at 43.4 years, Denmark at 42.6 years, and Estonia at 41.5 years.

At the other end of the ranking were Romania with 32.7 years, Italy with 33.0 years, Bulgaria with 34.6 years and Greece with 35.3 years.

Gender Gap Remains Wider Than EU Average

Men in Cyprus are expected to remain in work for 42.1 years, compared with 36.7 years for women. The gap of 5.4 years exceeds the EU average gender gap of 4.1 years.

Across the bloc, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia were the only countries where women were expected to spend longer in employment than men. Finland recorded the smallest positive gender gap at 0.7 years.

Italy posted the widest gap at 8.9 years, followed by Romania at 6.9 years, Greece at 6.7 years and Malta at 6.3 years.

Working Lives Continue To Lengthen

Between 2016 and 2025, expected working life in Cyprus increased by 3.5 years, placing the country among the strongest performers in the EU over the period. Men’s expected working life rose by 3.3 years, while women’s increased by 3.6 years.

Across the EU, every member state recorded an increase. Malta posted the largest gain at 4.9 years, followed by Hungary and Ireland at 4.2 years each, and the Netherlands at 4.1 years.

Malta’s increase was driven largely by women, whose expected working life rose by 7.8 years, the biggest increase recorded across the bloc.

By comparison, Romania, Spain, Italy, Germany and Austria recorded gains of two years or less over the same period.

Women’s Working Lives Increase Faster Across Europe

Women’s expected working life increased faster than men’s in most EU countries. Denmark, Romania, Sweden and Greece were the main exceptions.

In Cyprus, gains for men and women were broadly similar, alongside Bulgaria, Belgium and Slovenia.

Breaking news