New resilient potato varieties saved Cyprus’s 2026 harvest

Cyprus’s agricultural sector managed to avoid a severe crisis thanks to successful field trials of new imported potato varieties from the breeding company Agrico, which demonstrated high yields in the extreme weather conditions of this year. This season has been extremely difficult for local farmers because of a prolonged drought, a shortage of irrigation water and sharp temperature fluctuations that threatened the usual harvest volumes of crops traditionally grown on the island. Nevertheless, the timely introduction of innovative seed material allowed farmers to save the harvest and protect the food market from shortages.

During large-scale trials conducted on experimental fields in the main potato-growing region of Kokkinochoria, the best results were shown by new hybrids with increased resistance to the arid climate and aggressive soil diseases. Specialists noted that these varieties not only formed high-quality tubers under limited irrigation, but also outperformed standard commercial varieties in basic endurance indicators, while the latter were dying en masse on neighboring plantations. The success of the experiment confirmed the need for urgent modernization of the seed stock in use.

Representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture and relevant associations said that the results of this year’s trials will form the basis for updating the state agricultural strategy for the coming years. The authorities intend to actively encourage farmers to switch to new resilient varieties in order to minimize climate risks and guarantee stable supplies both to the domestic market and for export to European Union countries. Local producers acknowledge that without the introduction of modern breeding technologies, it will be impossible to maintain the position of Cypriot potatoes on the international stage in the future.