Citrus Exporters Report Major Losses Due to Delays at Güzelyurt and Famagusta Ports

The Northern Cyprus Citrus Exporters Union has reported serious issues with export procedures at the ports of Güzelyurt and Famagusta. According to the organization, agricultural personnel responsible for processing export operations are working without sufficient overtime hours, which creates obstacles for the timely dispatch of products.

In a written statement, the Union emphasized that restricting exports to tight timeframes leads to significant financial losses and effectively acts as a barrier to sending products abroad.

According to the organization, a few days ago, 20 trucks with citrus products ready for shipment remained unprocessed at the Famagusta port. The cargo sat at the port for 24 hours, while ships departed without a full load. The Union reminded that there are no "hourly" trips between Cyprus and Turkey, unlike a bus service, so any delays result in disrupted deliveries.

Exporters claim that millions of liras are frozen in cargo awaiting processing, and the government has not taken the necessary measures—such as expanding overtime hours or hiring additional staff.

The statement also noted that the industry already faced serious difficulties in early 2024 due to the identification of a so-called "vector pest," which damaged companies and complicated export operations.

The Exporters Union called on the authorities to eliminate administrative obstacles as soon as possible and ensure the smooth operation of agricultural services to prevent further losses and the disruption of the export season.