State aid for pig industry

Local pork industry workers received a total grant of over €33,000 for private storage of the meat amidst a drop in exports this year due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The pigmeat industry has been experiencing serious difficulties for several months due to the marked slowdown in exports to China, the increasing spread of African swine fever to more member states and the lingering impact of restrictions imposed by Covid-19. Furthermore, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has led to further market disruptions.

As a result, there has been a sharp decline in export demand for certain products in the pigmeat sector.

To reduce the current imbalance between supply and demand, the European Commission had decided earlier this year to grant private storage aid for pigmeat for storage periods of 60, 90, 120 and 150 days.

The Cyprus agricultural payments organisation announced on Thursday that a total €33,195 for the financial year 2022, has been paid to the beneficiaries who participated in the exceptional measure.