The effort to consolidate the supply chain of agricultural products is in full swing, as shown by the Annual Activity Report for the year 2025, which was recently forwarded to the House of Representatives. The Department of Agriculture, as the competent authority, seems to be intensifying the pressure on buyers, with the inspections bringing to light dozens of violations that mainly affect producers.
According to the report's data, 2025 was characterized by intense audit activity, as a total of 53 audits were carried out nationwide at the various stages of the agricultural and food supply chain, on the occasion of 44 complaints and ex officio investigations carried out in several cases.
Analysis of the data shows that the biggest problem in the market remains late payments. Specifically, out of a total of 39 violations identified:
➤ 21 cases concerned buyers who did not pay suppliers within the legal deadlines (30 days for perishable products and 60 days for non-perishable products).
➤ 19 cases involved the unauthorized possession or use of reusable plastic boxes.
➤ Cases of refusal to provide evidence to the authorities were also identified, which made the work of the inspectors difficult.
Nicosia had the lion's share compared to other cities and provinces, with 26 inspections carried out, followed by Limassol with 9, Larnaca, Famagusta and Paphos 5 and 3 in the Pitsilia area. The network of inspectors spread across the entire spectrum of the market: Wholesale markets (Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca), Retail: Supermarkets, fruit shops, bakeries and butchers, Tourism and catering: Hotels and restaurants, Primary sector: Agricultural product processing/marketing companies and producers.
The Competent Authority did not limit itself to recommendations. During the year, 18 administrative fines were imposed, with a total amount of €34,100.
"The majority of violations concern the financial suffocation caused to producers by late payments, a phenomenon that the Law of 2021 and 2023 aspires to stamp out once and for all," the report states.
The Department of Agriculture does not fail to remind the public and professionals that the scales of fines are clearly posted on its official website, while strict adherence to payment schedules remains a priority to ensure the viability of the agricultural sector.
