Citrus production is becoming ‘unfeasible’
THE CYPRUS Turkish Citrus Producers Association held a protest in Güzelyurt last Friday claiming that production is becoming “unfeasible” due to “excessive” costs and the “unfair prices offered by buyers” for citrus products.
The protest was held at the Güzelyurt Bus Terminal and also supported by livestock producers, farmers, hunters, shopkeepers and artisans.
Truck drivers and citrus producers also joined with their work vehicles. The protesters shouted slogans and carried banners reading “The shopkeepers wake up to a new price every day”, “If you can’t govern then let us do it”, “We pay the bills but are tired of paying the price”, “What happened to market inspections?” and “Do you know how a minimum wage earner makes ends meet?”.
One person dressed up in a Spider-Man costume to draw attention during the protest.
Citrus Producers Union chairman Ali Alioğlu said that the demonstration was a “serious message” to the government.
He pointed out that in addition to the electricity and fuel price hikes, the “excessive prices” of many items such as chemical fertilisers and pesticides are linked to foreign currency, increasing the costs for producers.
He added that the “unfair prices offered by buyers for citrus producers’ products” is the “last straw”.
Mr Alioğlu continued: “If they don't take precautions, we will come to Lefkoşa for a larger, stronger and shocking protest. Listen to the voice of the citrus producers immediately. The products remain on the trees.
“Exporters want to buy the products for free. I’m here calling out to the Agriculture Minister and bureaucrats: don’t provide incentives to exporters.”
Members of the public also spoke at the protest. One person said “we are no longer able to make ends meet” while another person said “even though it’s the beginning of the month, there is only 100TL left in my pocket”. On the other side of the island a protest also took place in Gazimağusa. Hundreds of people chanted anti-poverty slogans and called on the government to resign over big rises in the prices of basic consumer goods.