Consumers will have to dig deep into their pockets to stock up on the essentials for the Easter table as high food inflation keeps shelf prices high.
The Consumer Institute of the General Federation of Consumers of Greece states that “Easter 2024 will be 6% more expensive than the already expensive Easter 2023. In special cases, it may even exceed 10% depending on the quality of the products”.
As INKA reports, “the Easter 2024 table covers the evening of the resurrection and the day of Easter 2024. It is valid for 6 to 8 people. We have not calculated spits, grill, accessories such as salt and pepper, twine and other misc. Easter 2023 with the same features cost 334.50. Easter 2024 will cost 355.88”.
According to the data provided by INKA in today’s press release, the prices are as follows:
- Lamb 10 kg × €14 per kg: €140
- Chicken 1.5 kg: €21
- Lettuce 2 × 0.70: €1.40
- Fresh onions 2 × 0.70: €1.40
- Tomatoes 1 kilo: €2.50
- Cucumbers 2 × 0.70: €1.40
- Tzatziki 1 kg: €4.20
- Kitchen: €11
- Gruyere cheese 500 g: €8.95
- Bread 1 kg: €2.40
- Eggs (20) red dyed at home: €15.20
- Charcoal 20 kg: €30
- Pretzels at home: €16.10
- Bun 1 kg: €19
- Bulk wine 1.5 liter: €6.75
- Soft drinks 6 × 0.330 ml: €4.98
- Sweets: €16
- Various contingencies (electricity, oil, vinegar, lemons): €18
Total this year €355.88 (from €334.50 in 2023). That is +6% or +€21.38.
In detail, prices for lamb and goat vary
in Varvakeio Market (Price/kg)
- Greek lamb: €10-12
- Greek goat: €10-12
Supermarket (Price/kg)
- milk lamb: up to €11. In the “Easter Basket” up to €10
- milk goat up to €11
What is changing in consumer habits?
Research by IELKA predicts smaller family tables and more preparations at home (DIY).
Specifically:
- 43% declare that they will participate in large family tables of more than 10 people. This percentage is up from 40% in 2023, but down from 67% in 2019.
- A reduced percentage of 9% (versus 12% in 2023) declares that they will have an Easter meal in the catering industry.
- Overall spending on Easter shopping is expected to remain flat, with a downward trend based on consumer responses. 40% estimate that they will reduce their purchases, while 34% that they will increase them. 26% believe that it will remain unchanged.
- Consumers are choosing to make their own sweets and other Easter items at higher rates than in the past. The percentage who will make sweets at home rises from 43% to 50% and dyeing eggs rises from 62% to 79%.
- As for lamb and goat, lamb spitting although an increase is recorded in relation to 2023, compared to the past, the rates are low. In particular, 33% say they will skewer lamb compared to 32% in 2023, when the percentage in 2019 was 67%. Baking in the oven is recorded increased from 40% to 46%.
- 1 in 4 households (26%) declare that they will travel on Easter outside the urban centers to a village or island. This percentage in the previous decade even reached 53%.
- The majority of purchases will take place during Holy Week. In particular, only 35% will make the purchases earlier. 4% will shop next weekend, 53% during Holy Week and 9% at the last minute.
