Cherries are the most expensive locally grown product on supermarket shelves this season, retailing at €12.95 per kilogram against a producer price of €9.00 per kilogram, according to Agriculture Department data collected on Thursday.
The figures, gathered by specialist department officers through the e-kofini platform across supermarkets island-wide, show significant gaps between what producers receive and what consumers pay. Producer prices are reported directly by officially recognised fruit and vegetable producer groups and organisations.
Lowland strawberries show the sharpest divergence: the average retail price stands at €9.20 per kilogram, nearly double the producer organisation price of €4.87 per kilogram. Black-eyed beans (louvi) are also among the pricier items, retailing at €9.45 per kilogram against a producer price of €8.00 per kilogram.
Mountain strawberries retail at €7.50 per kilogram and xekounia beans at €7.45 per kilogram. Tomatoes average €3.53 per kilogram, cucumbers €1.33 per kilogram, and potatoes €0.76 per kilogram.
Imported produce
Among imported fruit and vegetables, blueberries are by far the most expensive item, averaging €34.00 per kilogram. Grapes and pomegranates sell for €7.00 per kilogram, formosas for €6.00 per kilogram, and pears for €5.00 per kilogram. Imported asparagus costs €9.50 per kilogram per bunch.
More affordable imports include apples and mango at €3.00 per kilogram each, and bananas at €2.00 per kilogram — slightly more expensive than their Cypriot equivalents. Lemons average €2.50 per kilogram and imported onions €4.00 per kilogram.