Sharp price increases were recorded in fresh vegetables, sugar and fish in December compared with the previous month, according to the Price Observatory of the Consumer Protection Service. At the same time, price reductions were noted for flour, frozen molluscs and seafood, and cooking oil.
According to the Observatory’s data, of the 45 categories of basic consumer goods monitored in December, 17 recorded price increases compared with November 2025, while 26 categories saw price decreases. Of those, 13 categories were also cheaper compared with the same month last year. Two categories - pulses and tinned meat - showed no change.
Infant formula prices going up
Fresh vegetables and greens recorded the largest monthly increase, rising by 23%, despite being 30.3% cheaper than in December 2024. Sugar prices increased by 9.6% year on year, while fresh fish and seafood rose by 8.1% compared with November, although they remained 2.7% cheaper than a year earlier.
Frozen fish prices increased by 7.2%, while frozen burgers rose by 2.8%, representing a year-on-year increase of 25.3%. Cheese prices were up by 2.7% compared with November but were lower than in December 2024. Increases were also recorded in infant formula and processed meats.
By contrast, significant monthly price drops were recorded in flour and frozen molluscs and shellfish, both down by 9.3%. Cooking oil prices fell by 8.6%, while breaded and pre-cooked frozen fish dropped by 7.8%. Declines were also seen in baby foods, fruit juices and rice.
Further reductions were recorded in fresh meat, yoghurt, vegetable cooking fats, breaded and pre-cooked frozen meats, soft drinks and Cypriot coffee.
E-kalathi app encouraged
In its assessment, the Consumer Protection Service said December’s data reflect a continuing downward trend in prices, with annual inflation remaining in deflationary territory throughout the second half of 2025. Inflation stood at -0.9% in July and August, -0.7% in September, -0.3% in October, and -0.5% in both November and December.
The Service also referred to data from the “e-kalathi” platform, noting fluctuations in the number of identical products available across seven major supermarkets. The number of common products rose from 228 in October 2025 to 248 by mid-January 2026, with most supermarkets offering an increasing range of items.
The ranking of the most expensive and cheapest supermarkets remained unchanged across all four review periods. As of 16 January 2026, the price difference between the most expensive and the cheapest shopping basket amounted to €140.98 for 248 common products, representing a difference of 15.1%.
Consumers were urged to make use of the e-kalathi platform and its mobile application to compare prices and make more informed purchasing decisions. The Service stressed that the price observatory is intended solely for information purposes and does not replace personal market research, noting that product quality differences cannot always be reflected in price comparisons.