Filenews 28 November 2025
The market is one step closer to definitively solving the chronic problem with the management of reusable packaging or transport boxes in the agricultural supply chain, as the special Working Group, set up in October, has completed its initial assessment and considered a specific proposal from the Traders' Association.
The issue of boxes, which was strongly highlighted through the Department of Agriculture's audit campaign in early 2025 and ongoing complaints (16 out of a total of 20 complaints were about boxes), is at the heart of Unfair Commercial Practices (UTPs), along with late payments.
The Working Group, which has met twice (5/11 and 24/11), proceeded to record the problem. The number of boxes circulating in the Cypriot market, according to the official data of the statistical service and producer groups/organizations, was calculated, which amounts to about 1.5 million. Boxes. About 400,000 belong to producer groups/organizations. Another 1.1 million. boxes belong to various suppliers/dealers or are unstocked.
The representative of the Merchants Association presented an ambitious proposal aimed at standardization and more efficient management. Specifically, he proposed that 500,000 existing boxes without clear ownership or belonging to various suppliers/traders, be relabelled in a special factory with a common logo.
At the same time, it is proposed to produce 500,000 new boxes with the same common logo, to complete the number required for the smooth marketing of the products. Interested suppliers/dealers will use the boxes with the common logo.
However, Producer Groups/Organizations and traders who wish to do so, will maintain and use exclusively their own boxes, which will not be included in the new system.
The Working Group asked for the preparation of a specific proposal with detailed timetables, a breakdown of the number of boxes per party involved and a detailed description of how it would work, before it was reconvened for the final discussion.
In parallel with the developments in the boxes, the Department of Agriculture continues to supervise the implementation of the Law on Unfair Commercial Practices, to inform producers.
The total on-site inspections until November 21, 2025, amounted to 43. A total of 16 are for payments, 22 for boxes, 5 for payments and boxes. In 2025, a total of 35 violations were identified. The infringements mainly concern payments (17) and boxes (14).
18 administrative fines have been imposed with a total amount of €32,670 to date. The main reasons for enforcement are mainly shared in crates and payments.
The Competent Authority has intensified checks on payment schedules since the beginning of the year, a time-consuming process that often requires administrative control. With the final resolution of the problem of the boxes, a more intensive continuation of checks on payments is expected.
At European level, there was a significant development in November 2025, as the trilogue process (Parliament, Council, Commission) for the Cross-border Enforcement Regulation against Unfair Commercial Practices was completed. The Political Agreement reached aims to facilitate the application of the Directive in cases of cross-border trade (about 20% of agricultural trade in the EU). The final adoption of the Regulation is expected to start on 1 December.
Finally, the European Commission has completed its evaluation of Directive (EU) 2019/633 and is expected to share the report with the Member States, thus starting the public consultation and call for evidence process. Based on the comments, the proposal for a revision of the Directive is expected to be discussed in the second half of 2026.
