Farm groups seek extension of Larnaca port grain storage licence

Larnaca, Cyprus. Five agricultural organisations appealed on Tuesday for an extension of the grain storage licence at Larnaca port before its expiry at the end of October. They warned that losing access to the facilities could put Cyprus’ food security at risk amid geopolitical instability and increasing import costs.

Appeal to ministers and port authority

Pek, Eka, Panagrotikos, Euroagrotikos and the New Agricultural Movement issued a joint statement calling on Agriculture Minister Christos Senekis, Energy Minister Michael Damianos and the Cyprus Ports Authority to extend the current licence.

The groups said grain demand had risen because of Cyprus’ substantial tourism industry and expanding halloumi production sector. Maintaining sufficient supplies was therefore essential to meeting the island’s needs and safeguarding food security, they argued.

Conflict and import costs

The organisations said continuing conflicts and shifts in geopolitical conditions required a reassessment of Cyprus’ capacity to store grain.

They attributed significant increases in general product transport costs and the cost of imported feed ingredients to the Russia-Ukraine war and hostilities in the Middle East. Supply had declined because Ukraine, a major source, was no longer available, while demand had remained steady, they said.

Storage needs and soybean prices

The groups also warned that soybeans imported from Argentina and Brazil, which are commonly used for animal feed, could become more expensive. They linked that risk to the planned introduction of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) from January 1, 2027.

Additional storage capacity was needed to reduce exposure to further price rises and possible market shortages, the organisations said, particularly if the Larnaca port facilities became unavailable.