Foodstuffs imports and diet change in Cyprus, 1881–1946/7

Abstract

Using information from the import statistics found in the Cyprus Blue Books, this paper aims to examine the trends of diet change in Cyprus, in the period 1881–1948. Data on imported foodstuffs as reported in the Blue Books published in the Census Years (1881, 1891, 1901, 1911, 1921, 1931, 1946) is collected; the special focus is on (a) “new” foodstuff categories (e.g. “fine cheeses”, imported liquor, beer) and (b) on the bulk import of foodstuffs either not produced at all in Cyprus, or produced in quantities not sufficient for the needs of the population. Some of these are sugar, flour, pasta, rice et al. Quantitative data is processed to produce a per capita consumption in the census years. The result will indicate the general trend in diet change, as “new” food categories were made available and incorporated in the local diet. Information from sources such as advertisements as well as information on new manufacturing plants (e.g. pasta factories and breweries) will be used to complement and partially validate the trends on diet change in the years of colonial rule in Cyprus.