The Consumers Association highlighted the increasing spread in fruit and vegetable pricing in Cyprus. Retail prices have been noted to surpass producer prices extensively. Bananas displayed a retail increase of up to 110% above what producers receive.
This was part of the association's second major survey in 2025, involving 30 fruit and vegetable products examined across supermarkets and farmers' markets. The aim was to examine discrepancies between retailer and producer prices.
Typically, the gross profit margin for retail fruits and vegetables is 50-60% over producer prices. However, in 27 products analyzed, margins exceeded these levels, indicating a trend of disproportionate retail price increases.
The association commented, "The data from the new survey led to the conclusion that there is still a serious problem in the marketing of fresh fruits and vegetables, which leads to an excessive increase in their retail prices." Additional disparities were noted in red cabbage (102%), carrots (90%), and both red eggplants and onions (around 80%).
Overall, the survey, comparing prices from April to July 2025 with the previous year's period, found producer prices increased by an average of 17%, while retail prices saw a smaller hike of 9%.
Despite a slight improvement from earlier 2025 data, concerns persist. "The prices offered at the farmers' markets in Nicosia are 28-38% lower than the retail prices recorded in the e-basket," the association stated, referencing the 'e-Kofini' application, which shares average selling prices of local products.
Authorities are urged to implement measures addressing impacts on both consumers and producers, the latter affected by high retail profit margins without corresponding payment increases.
Source: CyprusMail
