The cost of this year’s Christmas table is expected to hover around last year’s levels, with some variations, according to the President of the Cyprus Consumers Association, Marios Drousiotis.
The Cyprus Consumers Association conducted a market research initiative, gathering prices from supermarkets on December 8, December 15, and December 20.
“We are generally pleased because we expected higher costs for this year’s Christmas table,” Drousiotis remarked commenting the survey’s results.
The surveyed points of sale included the four major supermarkets in Nicosia and three smaller ones. It’s worth noting that the research covered only Nicosia and encompassed a total of 35 food and beverage items, maintaining the same list used in previous years. The items included various foods and drinks such as bread, Christmas cakes, chicken, turkey, pork, lamb, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, potatoes, beer, wine, soft drinks, and more.
Drousiotis clarified that the purpose of the research was to determine the cost of a Christmas table for 2023, rather than to compare different selling points. Additionally, the early commencement of the study aimed to observe price fluctuations as Christmas approached and whether initial product offers persisted until the holiday.
The research processed data to calculate the cost of a Christmas table for both four and six individuals, categorised as “expensive table,” “economic table,” and “table for lower-income households.” The cost also factored in necessary quantities for a typical four-member and six-member family. An additional 5% cost was added for various supplementary items such as water, lemons, salt, oil, vinegar, napkins, electricity, and gas.
Drousiotis attributed the decrease in lamb prices to price competition among supermarkets. Noticeable price reductions were observed for vegetables, cucumbers, potatoes, and Cypriot apples. Increases were noted in tomatoes and clementines, while beer and soft drinks featured promotions until December 20.
Key findings and conclusions of the research:
- Expensive Table: For a four-member family in Nicosia, the cost is estimated at €187, and for a six-member family, it’s €271. Compared to last year, the expensive table is €21 more expensive.
- Economic Table: Including 19 out of 35 items, the cost for a four-member family is €102, and for a six-member family, it’s €132. This table is €6 more expensive compared to last year.
- Table for Lower-Income Households: Encompassing 11 out of 35 items, the cost for a four-member family is €25, and for a six-member family, it’s €38. Prices remained the same as last year.
Drousiotis noted that the only expected changes until Christmas are likely in vegetable prices, although any differences are anticipated to be minimal.
