Potato farmers take their woes to Rolandis

POTATO producers yesterday told the Commerce Minister that they would be making up to £15 million less on their crops this year.

Representatives of the Panagrotiki agricultural union and Kokkinohoria potato producers visited Commerce and Industry Minister Nicos Rolandis to voice their concerns at falling potato prices.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Rolandis said: “The issue that they brought forward was that their potatoes have been and will be sold very cheaply this year.”

He said Panagrotiki had told him they would make £12 to £15 million less from potato crops this year, adding the union had also wanted to know about his ministry’s plans for their sector.

But Rolandis said profits would be down because of lower prices due to over- production — “they had their own ideas how to handle this,” he added.

The Minister said the union would be presenting him their demands in detail and that he would be taking these before the Cabinet on Thursday.

“I understand that from the £17 million that they will make, approximately £13 or £14 million will not go to them, but to the Potato Marketing Board and for arrangement fees, so what is left for them is little.”

Rolandis said the government felt that the international market had played a role in the loss, “but the potato producers have their own opinions.”

“Potatoes are one of Cyprus’ basic exports and difficulties are to be expected when World Trade Organisation rules are applied.”

He said he would be contacting the Potato Marketing Board later in the day.

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