There is a flurry of shopping activity in the final days of Holy Week, with consumers rushing to make last-minute purchases ahead of Easter.
At the same time, as announced by the Independent Authority for Market Control and Consumer Protection, controls have been intensified throughout the country, with the aim of ensuring healthy competition and the effective protection of consumers, especially in a period of increased demand.
To date, more than 300 checks have been carried out across the country, while the presence of control mechanisms is being further strengthened today, Good Friday and tomorrow, Good Saturday, with increased operational mobilisation at critical market points.
As noted, the Authority monitors on a daily basis the evolution of prices and availability of Easter products, as well as lamb products, through continuous and systematic collection and analysis of data from the entire market.
According to the data so far, lamb prices are at levels similar to last year. In particular, in supermarkets they range from 11.49 to 11.90 euros per kilo, covering more than 98% of the market, while in large markets, such as Varvakeios, they start at 8.99 euros per kilo.
At the same time, it is underlined that consumers have substantial choices in the district butchers, where there is a sufficient supply of products and conditions of healthy competition.
For its part, ESEE estimates that the cost of this year’s Easter table for four to six people ranges from 107.20 to 156.20 euros, up 7.8% to 9.3% compared to last year, according to a survey by the Institute of Commerce and Services.
As noted, the range of prices is attributed to the variation in product quality, local market peculiarities and different types of shops, while the prices are indicative and reflect the general picture of the market.
In a statement, the administrative director of the ESEE Institute, Charalambos Arachovas, said that “food prices for the Easter table are moving upwards for another year, burdening households and limiting spending on other goods”. He explained that the increase was due to higher production and transport costs due to energy, diseases that affected livestock, and the coincidence of Orthodox and Catholic Easter in close proximity, which boosted demand.
He also noted that prices for chocolate eggs remain at about the same level as last year, recalling that in 2025 they had recorded a significant increase due to the rise in the price of cocoa. He also pointed out that the reduced disposable income is mainly directed towards meeting basic needs, limiting impulse purchases in an environment of prolonged geopolitical uncertainties.
Reminder that today, Good Friday, shops are operating with limited opening hours, from 13:00 to 19:00 and on Good Saturday, when the shopping season peaks, shops will be open from 09:00 to 15:00. Large shopping centres and department stores will follow extended hours, as they will be open from 13:00 to 20:00 or 21:00 today, Good Friday, and from 10:00 to 18:00 on Good Saturday, and in some cases until 19:00.
