Too Early to Draw Conclusions: Carob Harvest Continues in Cyprus

Andreas Grigoriou, Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture, has announced that the carob harvest is currently in progress in Cyprus. It is still too early to determine this year's production levels.

In an interview with the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), Grigoriou explained that a decree issued last year established August 15 as the start date for the harvest and storage of carob pods, as this is when the pods are usually fully ripe.

However, he did not rule out the possibility that this year's unusual heat might have caused the pods to ripen earlier than expected.

“If carob pods are harvested while still unripe, they may spoil over the winter, making them unsuitable for both human consumption and animal feed,” the minister said.

Since the harvest is still ongoing, a comprehensive assessment of the total yield is not yet possible.

“A more precise evaluation will be available by the end of September, after the harvest is completed,” Grigoriou noted.

It is worth mentioning that a record carob harvest was achieved two years ago. This year's yield may be lower due to severe drought conditions.