New Grape and Fig Varieties Registered in Northern Cyprus

Two new plant varieties—Alaşya grape and Ada Güzeli fig—have been officially registered in Northern Cyprus, following extensive research by the Agricultural Research Institute. Both are unique genotypes native to the island.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the Alaşya grape was selected from a group of local black grape types traditionally known as “Cyprus Black.” This variety ripens in the first week of August and produces medium-sized clusters weighing up to 512 grams. The berries are round, averaging 6.4 grams each, and display a deep red-purple color.

Alaşya grapes have a medium-thick skin, with young shoot tips that are fully open and tightly flattened. The upper surface of the mature leaves is a light copper-red, and the leaves themselves are medium in size. This table grape is notable not only for its quality and late harvest period but also for its strategic value in preserving Cyprus’s indigenous grape heritage.

The Ada Güzeli fig is the third registered variety under the “Fig Breeding and Conservation Project (Ficus carica L.) in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.” The project is a joint effort by the Department of Agriculture, the Agricultural Research Institute, and the Erbeyli Fig Research Institute in Turkey. The variety, previously known as Geçci Bardak, showed strong performance during the research phase and was officially registered under its new name in 2025.

This late-ripening fig matures after November 15 and stands out among late-season figs for its excellent potential for fresh consumption. Each fruit weighs an average of 85.99 grams.