Outdoor markets, food stores and commercial shops have virtually turned into daily minefields for the average Turkish Cypriot earner, as the prices of essential foodstuffs have skyrocketed due to the Turkish-imported inflation, constantly breaking records. The Turkish lira was almost 49 to the euro yesterday.
With the gross minimum wage in the north at around €1050, it makes perfect sense that Turkish Cypriots, who always bought selected products from Cyprus Republic markets due to greater variety and a better shopping environment, would seek price shelter here, buying cheaper for their needs. Queues form at checkpoints early in the day, mostly on weekends.
But it’s not just food. According to Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen, electricity has gone up by 28%, water 71%, mobile telephony 28%, rents by over 40%, private university education 147% and private hospital care has increased by 98%.
It seems that the tide has turned. Financial pressures on the Turkish Cypriots are forcing them to cross over for shopping, while in the past, it was the Greek Cypriots that rushed there due to the significant difference in prices.
For a comparison of basic products on either side of the buffer zone in euro, see the table below.
Household basket across the island
What TCs buy
Speaking to Politis, Turkish Cypriots said that they purchased a lot of fruit and vegetables from the government-controlled areas as prices in outdoor markets in the north have increased significantly in recent years. They also choose their meat in supermarket butcheries, due to price but also quality. Other preferred products include coffee, baby care products and various categories of other foodstuffs.
Many pointed to a lack of pesticide control in the north as a reason for crossing over to shop.
Additionally, they also prefer clothing options in the free areas, both from high street multistores and malls, while there is also greater variety in toys and authentic products not available in the north.
Outrageous prices in the catering sector
Turkish Cypriots that cross over also eat at many fast food chains, due to lower prices, with brand cafes across the divide much more expensive. Coffees range from €5 to €9 in northern Nicosia and Kyrenia. Tavernas are at €30 per person while in some cases they even reach €50. Turkish Cypriots say that restaurants tend to serve smaller portions of meat due to high costs.
Politis compared 20 essential foodstuffs. The food basket in the north reached €196.77, including meat, oil, eggs, bread and milk, while in the free areas it came up to €133.46, that is, €63 less.
Meat in the north is up to 97% higher, with olive oil and cereal at double the price.
Halloumi, milk, yoghurt and eggs are slightly cheaper in the north, but not by much.
The only real product prices favouring the Turkish Cypriots are for petrol and cigarettes, with Greek Cypriots steadily shopping north for both goods over the last two decades.