SANCTIONS: Cyprus to get €4 mln for loss of citrus sales due to Russia

Cyprus farmers are expected to get about €4 mln in compensation from the €165 mln EU emergency fund for the withdrawal of 19,220 tonnes of citrus fruits, due to the Russian embargo, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Nicos Kouyialis.

The total value of farm goods to Russia were estimated in the region of €13 mln, suggesting this will be the loss for Cypriot farmers during the year-long embargo imp0sed by Russia in reaction to EU and western sanctions over the crisis in Ukraine.
On September 5, at the extraordinary EU Agriculture Ministers’ Council, Kouyialis had called for the inclusion of citrus fruits to the products to be compensated by the EU and on Monday the European Commission decided to provide financial support for the withdrawal of oranges, mandarins and clementines.
So far, the EC had given priority to the compensation of other goods exported to Russia primarily from Poland, Bulgaria, Romani and Greece and citrus fruit were excluded from the initial list.
In Milan for the Agriculture Ministers’ Council, Kouyialis expressed satisfaction that the Commission accepted the Cypriot request, noting that Cyprus would be entitled to withdraw 19,220 tonnes of citrus fruits, costing around €200 per tonne.
The EU compensation scheme covers apples, pears, kiwis, plums, grapes, carrots, cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes, among other produce.