Fines totalling €35,000 have been issued to supermarkets selling imported agricultural products wrongly labelled as local, director general of the agriculture ministry Andreas Gregoriou said on Tuesday.

Since 2022, when a law on unfair trading practices in the agricultural supply chain came into force, 74 violations have been recorded.

Speaking to MPs during a session of the House agriculture committee, Gregoriou confirmed that 221 inspections had taken place over the past three years.

The issue of mislabelled produce was raised by Disy MP Giorgos Karoullas, who said repeated complaints have been received.

He claimed products from third countries are being packaged in boxes marked with Cypriot producers’ names, misleading both consumers and regulators.

“We’ve seen items on supermarket shelves that clearly state a foreign origin but still carry packaging that claims they’re local,” Karoullas said after the committee meeting.

He urged the government to intensify inspections and introduce stricter penalties to deter such practices. 

“We’ve highlighted the matter and briefed the republic’s authorities. It’s now vital that controls become tougher and fines more severe.”

Karoullas also stressed the need to protect Cyprus’ farmers, warning their livelihoods are under threat due to unfair competition.

“Genuine local produce must be supported,” he said.

He added that the quality and safety of imported goods should be checked at the point of entry. This includes tests for fertilisers and general standards before the products reach consumers.

The ministry of agriculture told MPs it intends to continue and strengthen inspections to ensure the law is fully enforced.

Karoullas, meanwhile, said he expects the ministry to present new legal amendments to close any remaining gaps.