Fresh milk and other dairy products will be more expensive from the beginning of 2013, due to increases imposed by the Pancyprian Cattle Breeders Organization (POA) at the wholesale price of milk by 5,8 cents per liter.
The increase that will be imposed in 2013 will be in two installments. The first increase will be set on New Year's Eve and will be 4 cents per liter above the base price. The second increase will be 1,8 cents per liter and will be imposed on April 1.
These increases are imposed by the POA to the pasteurization and cheese-making companies in a difficult period for the economy of Cyprus.
The Organization of Cattle Breeders proceeds with increases, citing the increase in the cost of animal feed, noting that in Cyprus the Cereals Committee is protected by the state.
Negotiations between cow breeders - cheesemakers and pasteurizers lasted about a quarter to finally impose the above increases.
Initially, the Cow Breeders' Organization demanded an increase of 10-12 cents per liter in January. Today, cow breeders supply the industries with milk at about 56,5 cents per liter. The average price of fresh pasteurized milk is available at € 1,34 cents per liter, which is expected to increase even more.
Of course, there will be effects on the price of yogurt, but also of halloumi, as well as of the other cheese products made in Cyprus, making them non-competitive with the imported ones.
By doing so, the Pancyprian Cow Breeders' Organization, which holds a dominant position in the milk market, demonstrates its power to impose increases at a time when other productive classes are suffering, while industries are being plagued by the economic crisis.
Source: FILELEFTHEROS