Crop production was by far the most valuable component of agriculture. In 1988 it contributed 71 % of total value added in agriculture, compared with 19 % for farm animal. Ancillary production contributed 6 %; the shares of fishing and forestry were 3 and 1 %, respectively. A wide range of crops were grown on Cyprus. Cereals, legumes, Vegetables like carrots, potatoes and tomatoes, fruit and other tree crops like almonds, apples, bananas, grapes, grapefruit, lemons, olives, oranges and peaches. Crops were rainfed or irrigated. Wheat and barley were rainfed or dryland crops, as were carobs, olives, fodder, and wine grapes. Crops that required irrigation included vegetables, citrus fruits, deciduous fruits, bananas, and table grapes. These irrigated crops accounted for half of agricultural production.

Viniculture and the production of wine have been major economic activities for centuries in Cyprus. Most vineyards are located in the southwestern part of the island on the slopes of the Troodos Mountains in the Paphos district and in hilly areas in the Limassol district. Some grapes were grown for table consumption, but about four-fifths of the harvest was used for wine, two-thirds of it exported. In 1989 the grape harvest amounted to 212,000 tons and wine production was 34.1 million liters. The most commonly grown grapes were the xymisteria and mavro varieties. Systematic efforts were undertaken by the government to improve the quality of Cypriot grapes, and different kinds of wine were manufactured to increase exports, mainly to Europe. Farm animal products, including poultry and milk, made up a remarkable part of the gross output by value of the agricultural sector. In 1989 there were 49,030 cattle, 325,000 sheep, 208,010 goats, 281,010 pigs, and 2,475,020 chickens in the governmentcontrolled area. During the 1980s, farm animal production roughly doubled, as a result of subsidies, strict import regulations, and government-sponsored research that improved both the quality of farm animal and its management.