Cyprus Considers Declaring Fruit-Based "Zivania" Illegal

Members of the Parliament of the Republic of Cyprus are urging the Ministry of Agriculture to take action against the production and sale of a product called "zivania," which is made not from grapes but from other fruits. Apple, pomegranate, lemon, and other types of the famous alcoholic beverage may be deemed illegal.

According to local media reports, this issue was brought before the parliamentary committee on agriculture at the proposal of two deputies.

According to the lawmakers, the beverage called "zivania," produced not from grapevines but from other fruits, is often found at various rural festivals.

However, deputies emphasized that "zivania" is a product with a geographical indication, which entails specific conditions for its production and marketing based on legislation.

In particular, the law stipulates that "zivania" is produced only from grapes through a defined process confirmed by the issuance of relevant licenses by the Ministries of Agriculture, Trade, Health, and Customs. Additionally, the product must have a trademark certificate, contain information about the producer, place of bottling, and alcohol content.

Furthermore, as a geographically registered product in Cyprus, "zivania" is also protected by the EU and several third countries that have bilateral agreements with Europe.

A parliament member emphasized that using the name "zivania" for a product made from fruits other than grapes is illegal, and such actions "cause harm to those who produce a purely Cypriot product."