Newsroom
Substantial price hikes are being observed for fresh meat, Christmas treats, and especially vegetables in the lead-up to the Christmas season, according to the Christmas 2024 Price Watch.
In the vegetable category, the most significant increase has been recorded for greenhouse cucumbers, which have surged by 201%. The average price this year stands at €2.59 per kilo, compared to just €0.86 per kilo last year. Field cucumbers and tomatoes have also seen sharp increases of 68% and 62.5%, with their average prices now at €3.11 and €2.55 per kilo, respectively. Potatoes and greens have risen by 22% and 23%, with average prices of €1.30 per kilo for potatoes and €0.46 per kilo for greens.
High prices for meat and Christmas treats
Fresh meat prices have also risen significantly compared to last year, with increases ranging from 5% to 20%. Imported turkey shows the smallest increase, up by 5.31%, with prices ranging from €4.95 to €7.30. Local turkey, however, has seen an average price of €7.15, reflecting a 14.52% increase from last year. The price of small lamb varies between €10.50 and €17.45 per kilo, with year-on-year increases ranging from 11.54% to 19.61%. Pork prices range from €3.95 to €8.35 per kilo, depending on the cut, with increases between 6.73% and 8.54%. Beef prices, meanwhile, range from €7 to €19.45 per kilo, reflecting an increase of approximately 7%.
Christmas treats are also more expensive this year compared to last. The price of melomakarona has increased by about 2%, with an average price of €12.38 per kilo. Packaged kourabiedes have risen by 4%, now averaging €6.06 per 500 grams, while the price of non-packaged varieties has seen a slight decrease of 0.71%. Christmas cake prices have gone up by 5.42%, with an indicative average price of €13.81 per kilo and a range of €8.19 to €25.65.
Price data sources
It is worth noting that fresh meat prices were gathered from 87 outlets (including large and small supermarkets as well as district butchers), vegetable prices from 37 outlets (both large and small supermarkets), and delicatessen prices from 48 outlets (large supermarkets, bakeries, and pastry shops).
