**NICOSIA, Cyprus** – Consumers preparing for New Year's celebrations are likely to find little respite from festive season expenses, as prices for essential New Year's feast items have remained largely static since Christmas. The Cyprus Consumers Association has reported that, aside from a marginal decrease in the cost of a few select vegetables, the overall price point for celebratory meals has held firm at levels seen during the preceding Christmas period.
According to Marios Drousiotis, the President of the Cyprus Consumers Association, the observed price fluctuations have been so minimal as to be practically insignificant. "We have witnessed only slight reductions in the cost of items such as tomatoes and cucumbers," Mr. Drousiotis stated on Tuesday, adding that these minor adjustments have not translated into any substantial decrease in the total expenditure for a festive meal. This stagnant pricing landscape is a cause for concern, particularly given the recent increase in the cost of traditional holiday spreads.
A recent survey conducted by the association in Nicosia, which analysed the prices at four major nationwide supermarket chains, revealed that the cost of a typical Christmas table had escalated by approximately nine percent compared to the previous year. Crucially, these same supermarkets apply uniform pricing policies across the island, suggesting the findings are representative of a national trend. The survey meticulously itemised the expenses for three distinct types of festive tables: a 'rich table' comprising 34 items, an 'economic table' featuring 19 of those items, and a 'basic table' with 11 essential components. For a family of four, the 'rich table' was estimated to cost around €160, while a 'basic table' would set them back approximately €33. Correspondingly, for a family of six, these figures rose to €227 and €49, respectively.
In light of these persistent high costs, the Cyprus Consumers Association has also formally requested a comprehensive report from the Consumer Protection Service concerning the efficacy of the e-Kalathi application. Launched earlier this year with the express intention of empowering consumers by providing a platform to compare prices of everyday goods across various retailers, the app has, in the association's estimation, fallen short of its ambitious objectives. After six months of operation, the association has concluded that the e-Kalathi app has not delivered on its initial promises, failing to demonstrably assist consumers in identifying more economical purchasing options. This perceived ineffectiveness of the digital tool is seen as a missed opportunity to alleviate some of the financial pressure on households during periods of heightened spending. The association's appeal for an official assessment underscores a growing sentiment that more robust and tangible measures are needed to ensure fair pricing and greater consumer affordability.