Cyprus at a Glance_EN

Imports/Arrivals Imports/arrivals are classified according to their economic destination i.e. consumer goods, fuels and lubricants, intermediate inputs, transport equipment and capital goods. In 2016, the European Union remained the main source of supply of goods to Cyprus, with a share of 65,8% of total imports/arrivals. Major suppliers within the Union were Greece, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, France and the Netherlands. Exports/Dispatches Major exports of domestic products include pharmaceutical products, fossil fuels and oils, cheese (including the Cypriot specialty ‘halloumi’), cement, potatoes, fruit and vegetable juices, fish and waste and scrap of paper, glass and metal. In 2016, dispatches to European Union countries accounted for 41,3% of total domestic exports, with the UK, Greece and Germany being the main markets. In addition, 9,9% of total exports were absorbed by the Middle East countries, while 8,0% by Asian countries. Transshipment On account of its geographical position, Cyprus has developed into an important transshipment centre with a large volume of re-exports going mainly to EU countries. The value of re-exports in 2016 accounted for 64,5% of total exports. Primary Sector The contribution of agriculture, livestock farming and fisheries to GVA in 2016 accounted for 2,1%. The main crops are potatoes, cereals, citrus fruits, grapes and olives. Livestock farming is mainly in cattle, sheep and goats, pigs and poultry. Fish production derives mainly from inshore and trawls fishing as well as marine aquaculture. Natural Resources The island’s natural resources are copper, gypsum, timber, marble, bentonite and earth pigment, but none exist in significant quantities. Water is a scarce resource in Cyprus. The problem has been met by the construction of dams and desalination plants. 28