Erden: We Cannot Compete with Imported Dairy Products

He emphasized that it is now impossible to compete with products entering the Northern Cyprus market from Europe. Erden stated that both imported dairy products and those from Europe are overwhelming local producers, making competition increasingly difficult.

Difficulties Due to Rising Milk Prices

Erden also addressed the rising prices of raw milk, explaining that both local dairy manufacturers and Koop Süt are struggling due to these hikes. He emphasized that the price increase for Koop Süt was driven by excessive internal costs, leading to unavoidable price hikes, which he described as unreasonable.

Plan and Policies Needed for Agriculture

During an interview on Kıbrıs Postası TV’s Agenda program, Erden stressed that both meat and dairy production require a planned, programmatic approach, considering the country's population. He criticized the government for relying on unplanned imports, especially for meat and potatoes, which he argued had not reduced prices as intended.

Erden also underlined the need for a strong policy regarding meat production, as Northern Cyprus suffers from a lack of planning and policies, particularly regarding the import of illegal meat from the South. He stated that due to the absence of a coherent meat policy, citizens prefer to shop in the South, where prices are significantly lower.

No Meat Policy in Northern Cyprus

Erden remarked that Northern Cyprus currently has no policy on meat, particularly when it comes to addressing the problem of illegal meat imports. He also pointed out that due to the lack of such policies, citizens often shop in the South for better prices. He highlighted that there is a significant price gap between meat sold in the North and the South, which is not likely to close without intervention.

The Importance of a Proper Meat Policy

Erden reiterated that the solution to Northern Cyprus’s meat crisis lies not in imports but in developing a solid, long-term strategy for local meat production. He also compared imported meat to painkillers: a temporary solution that does not address the root cause of the problem.

The Need for Strategic Imports

Referring to the potato shortage in the region, Erden highlighted that Northern Cyprus, once known for producing and exporting potatoes, has been forced to import potatoes due to a lack of good harvests. He criticized the authorities for failing to act sooner to import potatoes at more affordable prices, thus making the supply more accessible to consumers.

Economic Challenges and High Prices in the North

Erden also responded to recent comments by the Minister of Economy and Energy, Olgun Amcaoğlu, who stated that the economy had not shifted to the South. Erden pointed out that businesses in the North were losing customers, with some establishments losing both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot customers, leading to a 20% economic loss in the region.

Erden stressed that, aside from specific products like alcohol, tobacco, and fuel, most goods are purchased from the South due to lower prices. He pointed out that the price differences in dairy products, personal care items, fruits, and vegetables between the two sides of the island make Southern products more attractive to consumers.

The Impact on Local Restaurants

Finally, Erden noted that many restaurants in Southern Cyprus offer much lower prices compared to those in Northern Cyprus, leading to a loss in business for local restaurants in the North. He explained that the rising costs of meat, potatoes, and other goods were pushing up portion prices, further exacerbating the economic challenges faced by Northern Cyprus businesses.