Increased activity is being recorded in supermarkets and butcher shops ahead of the Easter celebrations, with shopping for the traditional Easter table expected to reach its peak on Good Friday and Holy Saturday. At the same time, shopping centres are seeing higher visitor numbers, despite subdued activity in some retail stores, particularly in tourist areas, following flight cancellations linked to the Middle East crisis.
Consumers are rushing to purchase the essentials for the festive table, with meat products and bakery goods once again dominating demand.
The President of the Pancyprian Butchers Association, Costas Leivadiotis, told Politis that there is strong activity in butcher shops, with consumers mainly purchasing lamb.
“So far, 25,000 lambs and kids have been slaughtered,” he said, adding that more will be slaughtered on Good Friday. However, due to certain restrictions, the exact number cannot yet be determined.
The Secretary General of the Pancyprian Retail Trade Association (PASYLE), Marios Antoniou, said that activity in supermarkets and shopping centres remains at normal levels. Consumption related to meat products and bakery items is considered satisfactory.
Regarding activity in Ayia Napa, Protaras and other tourist areas in Paphos, Larnaca and Limassol, he noted that it remains subdued due to flight cancellations caused by the conflict in the Middle East.
“The movement in supermarkets is satisfactory,” said the Executive Secretary of the Pancyprian Supermarkets Association, Andreas Chatzjiadamou.
“Despite the negative conditions created by geopolitical developments, the sector has supported the market through offers and price reductions,” he said. He added that despite earlier concerns about potential shortages and product scarcity, there is currently an abundance of goods and sufficient supply in the market.
Supermarket activity is expected to peak on Good Friday and Holy Saturday, he noted.
Adequate supply confirmed
Minister of Agriculture Maria Panayiotou also confirmed on Holy Thursday that there is adequate supply in the market with no shortages observed.
As part of the customary inspections conducted ahead of the Easter holidays by the competent departments of the Ministry of Agriculture, Panayiotou visited supermarkets and fruit shops in the Nicosia district. She specifically visited the Metro supermarket in Platy Aglantzia, Mikropolis in the Athalassa area of Strovolos and the Dimitrakos fruit shop in Strovolos.
She stated that prices remain at levels similar to last year and that no shortages have been recorded.
At the same time, she said that inspections remain intensive. The Department of Agriculture is monitoring the quality of perishable products, while Veterinary Services are inspecting animal products. Seizures remain at low levels, similar to those recorded last year.
Panayiotou also noted that the government’s consumer support package, worth more than €200 million, including the reduction of VAT on meat, poultry and fish, is producing positive results. This conclusion, she said, is supported by feedback received from both supermarket owners and consumers.
She also indicated that discussions with supermarket managers show continued strong demand for Cypriot products, in some cases exceeding initial forecasts.
Shopping centres see increased traffic
Shopping centres are also experiencing increased visitor numbers.
According to MyMall Limassol CEO Andreas Chatzimitsis, footfall at the shopping centre has increased by 10 to 15 per cent from 30 March 2026 until today compared with the same Easter period last year.
Despite the higher activity in supermarkets and malls, shop owners in city centres report weaker conditions.
Christis Demetriou, spokesperson for the Association of Shop Owners of the Historic Commercial Centre of Limassol, told the Cyprus News Agency that a slight decrease in market activity has been recorded this Easter period. He noted that the situation is understandable given the factors affecting the market.
“In recent days there has been a winter-like atmosphere, with welcome rainfall and low temperatures, which discouraged people from visiting the market or making purchases of spring or summer goods,” he said, adding that the issue is expected to ease as temperatures gradually rise.
At the same time, he stressed that the market has also been affected by negative sentiment related to rising prices, the war and lower-than-expected tourist arrivals during this period.
Shop owners in the upgraded commercial centre of Paphos also report limited visitor numbers, despite efforts to create a festive atmosphere.
The President of the POVEK Larnaca–Famagusta branch, Kyriakos Ampizas, described the situation in shops in both districts as “absolutely zero and completely disappointing”.
He said that the sectors in both provinces are facing numerous challenges, with the most significant being the ongoing war in the Middle East.
Regarding Larnaca, he explained that redevelopment works and sewerage construction in the city’s commercial centre have reduced access to shops, while consumers are also struggling to find parking spaces.
Retailers believe that the situation may improve following the announcement of a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran and the possibility of a broader de-escalation of the conflict.
It is noted that general retail stores will remain open today and tomorrow until 6pm. They will remain closed on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday and will reopen on Easter Tuesday.