Filenews 12 March 2022 - by Angelos Nikolaou
The price increases in feed prices in recent times lead to an increase in the price of pork from Monday by 30 cents per kilogram, with the price approaching €5 per kilogram in butcher shops.
The average wholesale price received by pig farmers increases from €1.60 to €1.75 per kilogram, an increase of 15 cents per kilogram, while the increase in retail price is double. It is noted that the costs of feeding pigs reach 70% of the total operating costs. As a result of the increase in the price of pork, sales prices in restaurants and souvlaki shops will also increase. On the market there are shortages of chicken meat since there was a great dependence on Ukraine. The merchants turned to the American market from where the first shipments are expected, but the wholesale price is more expensive by €1 per kilo, from €3.60 to €4.60. Therefore, the price of chicken breast fillet sold today at €7 per kilo will exceed €8. Prices for beef remain at €10 per kilo, as is the price of lamb and goat meat sold at €8.50 per kilo, with producers, however, emitting a distress signal pending the support they will receive from the government.
At the same time, the Ministry of Agriculture, following its decision to import cereals in an attempt by Cyprus to have reserves for a month afterwards and the problems caused by the war in Ukraine, proceeds next Monday with the urgency procedure to an international tender, which will be closed in a 24-hour period. Essentially, the Ministry will turn to the major grain trading houses around the world for the supply of 36,000 tons of corn and barley. On Tuesday it will have an effect and will proceed immediately to an order. The price offered will be deliverable in Cyprus. The terms of reference will refer to the quantity based on specific quality characteristics, while genetically modified cereals that are not approved by the EU will not be allowed to come.
It is noted that traditional markets of Cyprus, such as Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria, in indirect ways cause difficulties in the smooth marketing of the product, in an effort to keep quantities for domestic consumption. Information from the Ministry of Agriculture indicates that steps have been made at a higher level to resolve the problem in order to load ships in Bulgaria and Romania ordered by private traders.
It appears that the announcement alone of the import of 36 000 tonnes of cereals by the Ministry of Agriculture brings about calm in the cereals market, since traders can now dispose of products more easily to farmers who do not have delivery contracts.
Meanwhile, yesterday, the first meeting of the Expert Group on the European Food Security Crisis Preparedness and Response Mechanism (EFSCM) chaired by DG Agri took place with the participation of Member States and other organisations involved. There was a problem of stocks initially in the Mediterranean countries, which called, among other things, for the solidarity of the EU Member States and the functioning of the single market without obstacles to intra-Community trade.
