In an assessment of the rising cost of living crisis gripping Europe, attention has turned to the soaring prices of food, which have emerged as a paramount concern for households across the continent.
Governments, including that of Cyprus, are stepping up with measures designed to alleviate the financial strain on their citizens.
A recent analysis by the Numbeo platform, which offers a panoramic view of global living expenses, highlights the stark disparities in food costs. This analysis takes into account the average net salary, thereby offering insights into the real purchasing power of individuals in various countries.
For a typical family of four in Cyprus, the monthly expenses, excluding rent, are estimated at a staggering €2,947.2. For individuals, this figure stands at €839.5, painting a picture of the economic pressures faced by consumers.
The situation in Greece mirrors this trend, albeit with slightly lower figures. A family of four faces monthly costs of €2,766, while for single individuals, the expenses amount to €807.4, also excluding rent. Interestingly, Greece’s cost of living is found to be approximately 3.9% lower than that of Cyprus.
Portugal presents a more affordable scenario, with the cost of living for a family of four estimated at €2,321.3 and €657.4 for individuals. This reflects a significant 17.8% lower cost of living compared to Cyprus.
Germany and France, on the other hand, present a higher cost of living. In Germany, a family of four needs to budget for €3,210.3 per month, with individual costs at €951.3. France tops the chart with monthly expenses of €3,414.2 for a family and €954.6 for individuals, marking an 18.2% higher cost of living compared to Cyprus.
Numbeo’s extensive database sheds light on the minimum monthly expenditure for a basic food basket, which includes 14 essential items. Cypriot consumers face a minimum spend of €265.07 per person, with Greeks slightly lower at €263.41. French consumers bear the highest cost at €368.14, underscoring the diverse economic landscape across Europe.
The detailed breakdown of food prices in Cyprus reveals the financial challenges faced by residents. Essentials such as milk, bread, rice, and eggs are priced at €1.59, €1.88, €2.33, and €3.38 respectively. Meat and produce also command high prices, further exacerbating the cost of living.
More specifically, the prices given by the Numbeo platform for Cyprus are: milk (regular, 1 litre) €1.59, fresh white bread (500g) €1.88, rice (white) (1kg) €2.33, eggs (regular) (12) €3.38, local cheese (1kg) €11.35, chicken fillets (1kg) €7.98, beef meat (1kg) (or equivalent red meat) €11.54, apples (1kg) €2.50, bananas (1kg) €1.78, oranges (1kg) €1.72, tomatoes (1kg) €2.59, potatoes (1kg) €1.31, onions (1kg) €1.16, lettuce €0.72, water (1.5 litre bottle) €0.87, mid-range wine bottle €7, domestic beer (0.5 litre draught) €1.56, imported beer (0.33 litre bottle) €2.30.
In Greece, the prices are: milk (regular, 1 litre) €1.53, fresh white bread (500g) €1.23, rice (white) (1kg) €2.22, eggs (regular) (12) €3.99, local cheese (1kg) €12.44, chicken fillets (1kg) €9.40, beef meat (1kg) (or equivalent red meat) €12.34, apples (1kg) €1.78, bananas (1kg) €1.78, oranges (1kg) €1.30, tomatoes (1kg) €1.92, potatoes (1kg) €1.12, onions (1kg) €1.16, lettuce €0.92, water (1.5 litre bottle) €0.76, mid-range wine bottle €8, domestic beer (0.5 litre draught) €1.61, imported beer (0.33 litre bottle) €2.33.
In France, the prices based on Numbeo’s data are: milk (regular, 1 litre) €1.11, fresh white bread (500g) €1.81, rice (white) (1kg) €2.12, eggs (regular) (12) €3.73, local cheese (1kg) €16.50, chicken fillets (1kg) €12.69, beef meat (1kg) (or other red meat) €19.03, apples (1kg) €2.74.