Key Consumer Goods in Cyprus See Price Hikes
Inflation Falls to 0.6% in October, but Essential Food Items in Cyprus Show Significant Yearly Increases
While inflation fell to a three-year low of 0.6% in October, certain essential goods recorded significant price increases both year-over-year and month-over-month.
The primary driver of inflation’s decline was a steep drop in fuel prices. Year-over-year, fuel prices fell by 15.79%, with a monthly decrease of 1.15%. Within this category, automotive fuels and lubricants saw a 16.31% annual decline (1.46% monthly), gasoline dropped by 12.57% (1.47% monthly), and liquid fuel prices fell by 16.31% (-1.46% monthly). Consequently, electricity prices also trended downward with an 8.08% decrease year-over-year and a 1.52% monthly drop.
According to data from the Statistical Service analyzed by the Consumers Association, baby products also recorded notable drops, with a 5.68% decrease annually (1.80% monthly). Butter saw a price drop of 4.55% (-1.72% monthly), and sugar prices fell sharply by 29.26% (-2.98% monthly).
In contrast, potatoes saw the largest annual price increase, surging by 63.78% (5.29% monthly). Fresh vegetables (excluding potatoes) increased by 13.50% annually but recorded a 9.55% monthly decrease. Fresh fruit prices went up by 7.47% annually, although they decreased by 7.89% from the previous month.
Bread prices increased by 9.05% annually (5.16% monthly). Full-fat fresh milk and low-fat fresh milk saw annual price increases of 4.58% (4.57% monthly) and 3.38% (4.48% monthly), respectively.
Lamb and goat meat saw a 12.41% annual increase (3.80% monthly), while pork prices rose by 4.93% annually (3.04% monthly). Egg prices increased by 6.46% (5.22% monthly), while poultry prices decreased by 2.53% annually but rose by 5.19% month-over-month.