Most of the food products in Northern Cyprus are imported

A significant portion of the food consumed in Northern Cyprus comes from abroad. According to a study published by the newspaper Diyalog, about 60 percent of the products available in retail chains are imported.

According to the publication, the largest share of imported goods includes fresh vegetables and fruits, meat, dairy products, grain products, and processed foods. The main supplier countries remain Turkey, as well as nations in Europe and the Middle East.

Representatives of chambers of commerce and entrepreneurs note that the dependence on imports is linked to the limited capacity of local agriculture. Farmers face high production costs, water shortages, fertilizer deficits, and difficulties with exports due to the political isolation of the TRNC. All this makes domestic production less competitive compared to imports.

Experts pay particular attention to the fact that rising transport costs, customs duties, and currency fluctuations directly affect product prices on store shelves. As a result, food inflation in Northern Cyprus remains among the highest in the region, while the population’s purchasing power is decreasing.

Economists urge the authorities to actively support local farmers, invest in greenhouse agriculture, water supply and irrigation systems, and encourage the production of animal feed to reduce dependence on external suppliers.

In conclusion, Diyalog notes that under current trends, Northern Cyprus risks further increasing its food dependency if no measures are taken to strengthen the agricultural sector and local food production.