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Cyprus Discusses Mercosur Trade Deal and its Impact on Agriculture

Published January 14, 2026, 19:17
Cyprus Discusses Mercosur Trade Deal and its Impact on Agriculture

The EU trade agreement with Mercosur countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay) was the focus of the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture. The Minister of Agriculture, Maria Panagiotou, emphasized that the agreement improves export opportunities for Cypriot agricultural products, with tariff reductions of up to 55%, and promotes the recognition of authentic Cypriot products. Members of Parliament and agricultural organizations expressed concerns about unfair competition, the standards of controls for Mercosur products compared to European ones, and the potential sacrifice of the Cypriot primary sector. In particular, they are concerned that Mercosur products will not be cheaper than Cypriot ones, despite the tariff reductions. The Minister of Agriculture assured that Cyprus has supported ensuring the resilience of European agriculture, protecting producers, and the need for compliance of imported products with European standards. The Minister of Health, Neofytos Charalambides, assured that public health will not be jeopardized and that strict controls will be carried out on imported products. The Committee decided to meet again next week, with the participation of the Minister of Commerce, to further discuss the issues raised.