Cyprus-Forum.com

[purdey]

I know a Cypriot land owner in the mountains.He owns vast amounts of land which is mainly,grape vines,oranges,almonds and olives.
Last year he never picked the grapes or oranges,they were left to rot.This year he plans to do the same.
Apparently the labour involved in picking the fruit outways the price he gets at market,surely this fruit should be harvested in some way,and sold at a cost that makes a profit.

[pantheman]

This is sad, but when you look at the price they get for the produce it is hard to justify.

Are the grape the ambelia type for the wine making or are they actually vines for eating??

There is an organisation that will pick the oranges and use for juicing, but you only get around a third of the price for the eating variety. They will pick them themselves.

How many tress does he have or donums of land with oranges on??

May be worth his while. Mind you, depends if he actually does any work on the crops, water, spray etc. Any expenses forked out??

So many things to consider.

Its a shame really when there are so many hungry people out there.

[cyprusgrump]

I think the government had to remove the subsidy they gave to grape growers when Cyprus joined the EU (the EU being awash with unsold wine).

Many vines around Pissouri have been ripped-up over the past few years…

[purdey]

The grapes are for wine,he used to sell them to the local winery.The oranges are some of the best I have tasted.He has two hundred trees,he had a deal with a juice producer but his profit amounted to £300 two years ago.
I think the spray,water and picking costs have killed him.Saying that he makes good money on almonds,olives and apples.
He has started renting out some land for cucumber growing,but we are talking pennies.
Financially he is a wealthy man,but the waste of beautiful produce is a crying shame.

[purdey]

Spot on Aidan,you are right.I must admit you know your stuff for a man down under.


Shit...honestly that was a mistake,please accept my appologies Grump.

[skyvet]

Would a "pick your own" business help him out? It's a common practice in the UK, where growers invite members of the public onto their land to harvest the crop, and then pay the grower for whatever produce they take home.
At least that would prevent all that delicious fruit going to waste.

[pantheman]

Would a "pick your own" business help him out? It's a common practice in the UK, where growers invite members of the public onto their land to harvest the crop, and then pay the grower for whatever produce they take home.
At least that would prevent all that delicious fruit going to waste.

Don't think that would help to be honest.

A friend of mine has strawberries and I suggested that to him. He tells me that by the time they have finished eating what they want and take home the small amount and the damage caused to the crops, it wasn't worth it.

With trees, you have to be careful how they are picked not to harm the tree. But good try anyway.