In Northern Cyprus, the price of raw milk has risen: authorities introduce new subsidies to support farmers

As of August 1, 2025, the base procurement price for raw milk has increased in Northern Cyprus. According to Mahmut Erden, chairman of the Dairy Producers Association (SÜİB), the price rose from 20.50 Turkish lira to 21.70 lira per liter. This roughly 6% increase is part of a broader agricultural support policy amid rising production costs.

Alongside the price hike, the government has substantially raised subsidy levels. For producers delivering up to 1,000 liters, the milk subsidy was increased from 2.80 TL to 4.80 TL per liter. For the first time, a new subsidy was introduced for larger producers delivering between 1,000 and 5,000 liters, set at 2.00 TL per liter. According to Erden, this measure will help maintain competitiveness and the resilience of the dairy sector.

Thus, farmers producing less than 1,000 liters per day will now receive a total of 26.50 TL per liter (including base price and subsidy), representing an increase of nearly 3 TL. Those producing between 1,000 and 5,000 liters will receive 23.70 TL per liter.

Mahmut Erden emphasized that the main goal of this measure is to support producers amid economic difficulties caused by inflation, rising feed and energy costs. He also noted that the association will work to ensure this price increase does not significantly raise retail milk prices, promising to monitor the balance between farmers’ and consumers’ interests.

The new rates and subsidies came into effect on August 1 and apply to all raw milk delivered by producers to both state and private processing facilities.

The decision was coordinated with the Ministry of Agriculture and approved as part of a strategy to ensure food security and sustainable development of the agricultural sector in Northern Cyprus.