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Inflation Declines To 1.5% In First Half Of 2024

Inflation in Cyprus has decreased significantly to 1.5% during the first half of 2024, marking a notable reduction from previous years. This decline is largely attributed to stabilised energy prices and effective monetary policies. The Central Bank of Cyprus reported that the deceleration in inflation was driven by a combination of reduced global energy prices and a stronger euro, which helped mitigate import costs.

Energy Prices and Economic Stability

The stabilisation of energy prices played a crucial role in the overall reduction of inflation. In previous years, fluctuations in energy prices significantly impacted the cost of living and production expenses. The recent steadiness in global energy markets has provided a respite, allowing for more predictable economic planning and reduced pressure on household budgets.

Core Inflation and Food Prices

Despite the overall reduction, core inflation—excluding volatile items like food and energy—remains a concern. Persistent price increases in food and services continue to exert upward pressure. The Central Bank has noted that food prices have been particularly resistant to decline, influenced by factors such as supply chain disruptions and increased production costs.

Monetary Policies and Economic Measures

Effective monetary policies implemented by the Central Bank of Cyprus have also contributed to the reduction in inflation. Interest rate adjustments and other monetary tools have been employed to control inflationary pressures while supporting economic growth. These measures have helped maintain a balance between curbing inflation and fostering a conducive environment for investment and consumption.

Economic Outlook

The Central Bank remains vigilant in monitoring inflation trends, aiming to sustain economic stability and growth. While the decline in inflation is a positive development, the ongoing challenges in managing core inflation and food prices require continuous attention. The economic outlook for Cyprus remains cautiously optimistic, with the expectation that stabilised inflation will support broader economic recovery and growth.

Only 1% Of Cyprus Farms Use Precision Farming Technologies

Cyprus remains one of the European Union’s least digitised agricultural economies, with just 1% of farms using precision farming technologies in 2023, according to Eurostat.

The findings come as the EU continues to encourage the adoption of digital tools aimed at improving agricultural productivity, efficiency and sustainability.

Internet Access Expands, But Digital Uptake Lags

Internet access has improved across the bloc, although adoption remains uneven. Eurostat found that 43% of EU farms had internet access in 2023, with northern and central European countries leading the way.

Denmark, Germany, Slovakia, Latvia, the Czech Republic and Austria all reported internet access rates above 90%.

Greater connectivity, however, has not translated into widespread digital adoption. Farm management information systems, which help farmers manage day-to-day operations, were used by only about 11% of EU farms. France was a notable exception, with around 60% of farms using the technology.

Precision Farming Concentrated In Larger Operations

Robotics adoption also remained relatively limited, with only about 7% of EU farms using robotic technologies. Overall, around 18% of farms with utilised agricultural area employed at least one precision farming technology or practice in 2023.

These included robotics for plant protection, band spraying, variable-rate application, precision crop monitoring and soil analysis. Despite representing fewer than one in five farms, these holdings accounted for around 44% of the EU’s utilised agricultural area.

The figures suggest that precision farming remains concentrated among larger agricultural businesses, where investment in digital technologies is typically easier to support.

Cyprus Lags Behind EU Leaders

Luxembourg, Finland and Estonia recorded the highest shares of utilised agricultural area managed by farms using precision farming technologies, each exceeding 75%.

At the other end of the ranking, Cyprus recorded just 1%, while Greece and Romania reported between 10% and 15%. The results indicate that Cyprus remains at an early stage of digital adoption in agriculture, even as precision farming becomes more widespread across parts of the European Union.

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