Agriculture remains a key issue for Europe's future in the eyes of Cypriots, but Cyprus stands out from the European picture on two counts: it calls for more funding for farmers, while also showing a markedly lower willingness to pay more for "green" products.
According to Special Eurobarometer 577 – 'Europeans, agriculture and the CAP' – of the European Commission, whose survey in Cyprus was conducted from 26 May to 15 June 2026 on a sample of 502 people (26,456 in total across the EU-27), the overwhelming majority (86%) of Cypriots consider agriculture and rural areas an important topic for our future: 64% "very important" and a further 22% "fairly important". Across the EU-27, 74% answer "very important."
As the two main responsibilities of farmers in our society, Cypriots rank first the provision of safe, healthy and quality food (52%, against 56% in the EU) and, second, ensuring a stable income for farmers (30%, against 21% in the EU), nearly 10 points above the European average. These are followed by the good treatment of animals (27% vs 29% EU), protecting the environment and natural resources (24% vs 20% EU), adapting to climate change (22% vs 16% EU), creating jobs in rural areas (18% vs 23% EU) and improving life in the countryside (16% vs 21% EU).
In assessing the state of affairs in Cyprus' rural areas — environment and landscape, access to services, education facilities — Cypriots rate them as "fairly good."
Some 73% of Cypriots agree that EU farmers need to change the way they produce in order to fight climate change, even if this reduces the competitiveness of European agriculture (70% in the EU). Majorities also agree that extreme weather events can affect food supply and food security in the EU, and that agriculture has already contributed significantly to fighting climate change.
The largest deviation from the European average is recorded in willingness to pay for "green" products: only 39% of Cypriots say they are willing to pay 10% more for agricultural products with a reduced carbon footprint, whereas in the EU the figure approaches 80%. Almost half of Cypriots (44%) answer negatively, against 18% across the EU.
Compared with ten years ago, 48% of Cypriots believe the level of food security in Cyprus has increased, 30% that it has remained the same and 17% that it has decreased.
As the most important risks to food security in the EU, Cypriots cite water scarcity and drought (57%, against 37% in the EU, the largest deviation on Cyprus' part in the entire questionnaire) and extreme weather events (46%, against 51% in the EU). These are followed by geopolitical events, such as wars and conflicts (32%, almost level with the EU's 33%).
Some 71% of Cypriots have heard of the support the EU gives farmers through the CAP, 10% say they know the details and 61% have heard of it but do not know the details, while 29% have never heard of it (71% also in the EU-27). Nearly seven in ten Cypriots (68%) agree that the CAP benefits all EU citizens and not only farmers (55% in the EU).
As for the role the EU fulfils through the CAP, 78% of Cypriots give a positive assessment of the provision of safe, healthy and quality food (73% in the EU), with positive ratings also for sustainable production, protecting the environment and tackling climate change, as well as ensuring an acceptable standard of living for farmers.
Moreover, 47% of Cypriots consider EU financial support to farmers, worth roughly 30% of the Union's total budget, too low, when the European average is 29%. Only 41% consider it about right (55% in the EU) and 5% too high (8% in the EU).
As food consumers, 70% of Cypriots view the EU's trade agreements with third countries positively (16% "very positive," 54% "fairly positive"), with only 21% rating them negatively.
In their purchasing decisions, Cypriots put food safety first (70% call it a "very important" factor), while 62% consider price very important and a further 62% taste. The origin of products also carries significant weight.
Nearly six in ten Cypriots (58%) recognise the EU organic farming logo, almost double the European average of 28%. These are followed by the Fair Trade logo (47% against 14% EU) and Protected Designation of Origin (25% against 12% EU). However, 37% recognise none of the logos (19% in the EU).
(Source: CNA)
