According to the Statistical Service of Cyprus, the value of domestically produced industrial exports (excluding ship and aircraft supplies) reached €334.7 million in May 2026, up from €197.9 million in the same month last year. This surge reflects a 63.9% increase in total export value when ship and aircraft provisions are included, rising from €212.4 million in May 2025 to €348.1 million.
Key Export Categories
The island’s export basket remains diverse, encompassing mineral fuels and oils, halloumi cheese, pharmaceutical products, waste and scrap metal, glass and paper, fish, potatoes, telecommunications equipment, and fruit juices.
Industrial Products – The Driving Force
- Mineral fuels and oils: Continue to dominate the high‑value segment, benefitting from Cyprus' strategic location as a refueling hub.
- Pharmaceuticals: Export values climbed sharply, supported by expanding production capacity in the Limassol and Nicosia regions.
- Halloumi: The iconic Cypriot cheese posted €167.5 million in exports for the first five months, reinforcing its status as a flagship agri‑food product.
Agricultural Products – Mixed Performance
While the overall value of agricultural exports (excluding ship and aircraft supplies) fell to €12.2 million in May 2026 from €13.3 million a year earlier, specific items such as potatoes and fish maintained stable demand in regional markets.
Foreign‑Origin Goods – Strong Growth
Exports of foreign‑origin products, including ship and aircraft provisions, rose to €173.5 million in May 2026, a 50.5% increase over the €115.3 million recorded in May 2025. Total imports of goods also grew, reaching €1.309 billion compared with €1.070 billion a year earlier, indicating a 22.4% rise in trade activity.
Implications for Maritime and Logistics Stakeholders
The pronounced expansion in high‑value industrial goods, especially halloumi and pharmaceuticals, translates into higher cargo volumes for Cyprus’ ports. Shipping lines can expect increased demand for refrigerated containers for dairy and pharma shipments, as well as standard dry‑bulk services for mineral fuels.
Logistics providers are urged to align capacity with the upward trend, leveraging Cyprus’ deep‑water terminals and its role as a transshipment hub for the Eastern Mediterranean. Efficient customs clearance and specialised handling for pharmaceuticals will be critical to sustain the growth momentum.
Outlook
Analysts anticipate that the export trajectory will remain positive through the remainder of 2026, driven by continued investment in production facilities and the island’s competitive tax regime. The combined effect of robust industrial output and strategic maritime infrastructure positions Cyprus as a pivotal player in regional trade flows.