Cyprus Agriculture Ministry introduces emergency payments for grape growers hit by downy mildew losses

Cyprus’s Ministry of Agriculture is introducing emergency payments for grape growers who lost their crops to downy mildew, a fungal disease affecting grapevines. Agriculture Minister Christos Senekis announced this at the sixth harvest festival in the village of Panagia in the Paphos district.

The aid will cover five varieties where production losses exceeded 30%. Payments will be made under the de minimis scheme — state aid provided in small amounts that does not require separate approval from the European Commission.

The main varieties — Mavro and Xynisteri — will be covered separately. Notifications have already been sent out in the Vouni-Panayias–Ambelitis zone, where average losses have reached at least 50%.

Claims for damage will be accepted until 21 September 2026. The ministry has promised to process them quickly so that “support reaches the affected producers as soon as possible,” according to the statement.

According to Senekis, the sector has faced several difficulties at once: a prolonged drought, extreme weather events and plant diseases. An assessment of the damage caused by the hailstorm in May and the storm on 28 August is also continuing.

By 2027, around €22 million in EU funds will be directed to Cyprus’s grape-growing sector under the Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan for 2023–2027. The money will be used to restructure vineyards, restore traditional stone terraces, modernise wineries and promote Cypriot wine abroad. The Panagia zone has protected designation of origin status in the EU.