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Figure 5.24 Proportion of citrus exports from northern Cyprus destined for the
UK (by value), 1975-1993 .
Source: [Annual] Import & Export Statistics, "Ministry" of Economy & Finaiice, north Nicosia.
As before the région again exported most Cypriot oranges, the overwhelming
majority of which still went to the UK. If anything, however, the role of the UK as
the main market for the produce of northern Cyprus accelerated after the régions de
facto change in administration.
It is however difficult to say just how dépendent the région was on the UK market
prior to 1974, not having been administered separately. With the preponderance of
British tourists and the most populär destinations being in what is now the north,
and with the north being the origin for most export agriculture, in which Britain was
a key market, it would appear however, that Britain was the most important trading
partner with the région prior to 1974. The subsequent role of Britain in maintaining
a separate Turkish-Cypriot entity after 1974 seems significant, particularly after
1978. The early loss of the region's mining sector, transitional problems in the
tobacco industry and the diminished role of both international tourism and
manufacturing in the initial phase of development, thrust the région back to relying
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