Cypriots shopping for Clean Monday will pay significantly more for several traditional staples this year, according to the Consumer Protection Service’s price monitor, which surveyed 67 outlets across all districts on 19 February.
The sharpest rise is in celery root, up 52.84% to an average of €2.32 per kilo from €1.52 last year. Small fresh octopus is up 25.05% to €17.99 per kilo from €14.39, while aubergine dip has risen 27.24% to €4.35 from €3.42. Lagana flatbread is up 18.29% to an average of €1.44 from €1.22, tahini up 8.88% to €3.81, and small fresh cuttlefish up 7.20% to €13.10 per kilo.
Shoppers will find relief elsewhere, however. Tomatoes have fallen 46.74% to €1.69 per kilo from €3.81 last year — the biggest drop recorded. Kohlrabi is down 27.42% to €1.56, greenhouse cucumbers down 21.70% to €3.31, and beetroot down 18.09% to €1.59. Prawns have dropped 25.94% to €6.01 per kilo and whole cleaned squid is down 14.21% to €7.37.
Halloumi prices were broadly unchanged from last year, ranging between €4 and €6 per 400 grammes.
The monitor also highlights wide price gaps between outlets for the same products. Large fresh octopus ranges from €12.50 per kilo at the cheapest outlet to €25.99 at the most expensive. Fresh large squid runs from €11.95 to €20 per kilo, while Aleppo-style halva ranges from €4.45 to €16.99 per kilo. Lagana varies from €0.99 to €2.15 depending on the outlet.
The Consumer Protection Service said the monitor is intended for general consumer information only and does not account for quality differences between products. It urged shoppers to conduct their own market research before making purchases.
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