Newsroom
Shoppers in Cyprus may have noticed some familiar staples getting pricier last month, with Cypriot coffee and frozen burgers topping the list of products with the biggest price jumps in March. At the same time, the cost of fresh vegetables and seafood eased, offering a bit of relief at the checkout.
According to the latest Consumer Product Price Observatory released Tuesday by the Consumer Protection Service, 23 out of 45 basic product categories saw price increases in March, while 21 categories dropped in price. Only fresh milk remained unchanged.
The monthly report tracks the average prices of 250 essential items, from food to household goods, based on daily sales across 400 retail stores across the island.
Coffee gets costly
The sharpest price rise in March came from Cypriot coffee, which jumped 8.7% compared to February. Year-on-year, the beloved brew saw a whopping 24.6% hike. Not far behind were frozen burgers, which climbed 6.5% from the previous month and 15.5% compared to March 2024.
Other noticeable monthly increases included:
- Baby food: +4.1%
- Bottled water: +4.1%
- Frozen shellfish: +3.4%
- Broths: +2.7%
- Baby diapers: +2.6%
- Yogurt: +2.4%
Prices fall for fresh produce
On the flip side, vegetables and leafy greens saw the steepest drop, falling 23% in March. Fresh fish and shellfish followed with an 11.3% dip. Other products that became more affordable included:
- Frozen breaded meat: -7.3%
- Vegetable cooking fat: -6.6%
- Frozen fish: -2.7%
- Legumes: -2.6%
- Feminine hygiene pads: -2.0%
- Fabric softeners: -1.7%
Inflation eases
The report also showed a slight drop in the inflation rate, which fell to 1.6% in March, down from 1.9% in February and 2.5% in January. This easing is mainly attributed to lower prices in clothing and footwear (-7.8%), even though prices in restaurants and hotels rose by 5.1% and food and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 2.1%.
At the category level, agricultural products posted the biggest annual jump, up 6.6% from March 2024, though they fell 2.4% compared to February.
A reminder for shoppers
The Consumer Protection Service stresses that these figures are for informational purposes only and not meant to replace individual market research. Prices can vary based on quality, brand, and store, and consumers are urged to compare before buying.
While some household staples continue to inch up in price, others are easing back down. And as always, a bit of careful shopping can go a long way.
