Cyprus shoppers see October price cuts of up to 12% on 35 goods
The consumer association's October survey found sharp falls in cheese, pasta, coffee and baby food, while 17 other products rose by 5–15%.
According to the consumer association, 35 of the products it tracks each month became cheaper in October, with reductions ranging from five to twelve per cent. The steepest falls were recorded in cheese, chocolates, pasta, baby food and coffee, the last two helped by the zero VAT rate introduced that month.
Not everything moved in the same direction: 17 items became more expensive, climbing between five and fifteen per cent, among them ravioli, fruit juices, baby wipes, flour and household cleaning products. The association also questioned how much competition really exists between the supermarkets listed on the e-kalathi price comparison platform.
“Someone should inform us what has become of the 1,000 new products which the competent authority publicly declared would be added to the range of products included in the e-kalathi by June 2026,” the association said.
What it means for residents
For households, the picture is mixed rather than a general drop in the cost of living: the savings on some staples are being offset by steeper bills on others. Since the association doubts that supermarkets are competing hard on e-kalathi, comparing prices before shopping remains the most reliable way to benefit.
- Check before you buy. Look up the items you need on e-kalathi rather than assuming the nearest supermarket is cheapest.
- Watch the zero-VAT lines. Coffee and baby food are among the products where the tax cut appears to be feeding through — verify it on the shelf label.
- Expect offsets. Flour, juices and cleaning products are rising faster, so budget for those going up.
This text is written from the source article and is not a translation of it.
