From 2021 to 2024, the price of lamb and goat meat rose by 63%, beef by 37%, pork by 30%, and poultry by 14%. Rising costs are reshaping dietary habits. Chicken is gaining ground over pork on Cypriot tables.
The landscape of Cyprus’s meat market is changing. Price hikes, declining production, and growing dependence on imports are pushing pork, lamb, and beef closer to being considered “luxury goods” for Cypriot households. By contrast, chicken continues to hold its ground, steadily increasing its share at the Cypriot table as a more affordable and popular choice for everyday consumption.
The data reveals a consistent upward trend in prices over recent years. Between 2021 and 2024, the cost of lamb and goat rose by 63%, beef by 37%, pork by 30%, while poultry increased by 14%.
Pork
According to the latest figures from the Veterinary Services, total pork production in 2024 dropped to 35,342 tonnes, compared to 37,305 tonnes in 2023. Slaughters also declined to 491,000 animals from 511,000. The production value remained almost unchanged at €92.7 million, with the average producer price at €2.62 per kilo.
Despite falling production, pork consumption remains significant. However, its price continues to climb, making it less accessible compared to chicken. This trend is gradually shifting Cypriot eating habits, with more households turning to poultry for cost reasons.
How much we pay per kilo
Rising production costs and reliance on imports are now directly affecting consumer prices. In 2025, retail prices stand as follows:
- Chicken: €3.5 - €3.8/kg
- Pork: €6.5 - €7/kg
- Lamb: €12 - €12.5/kg
- Veal (with bone): €12/kg
- Beef top-side: €16/kg
- Classic steak: €19 - €20/kg
Between 2018 and 2024, based on the Consumer Price Index (base year 2015), the prices of key meat categories in Cyprus shifted considerably. Beef and veal rose from 103.10 points to 140.92 (+37%), pork from 98.66 to 127.50 (+29%), while lamb and goat skyrocketed from 93.99 to 153.20 (+63%), recording the sharpest increase. Poultry, on the other hand, remained relatively stable, from 87.34 to 93.79 (+7%), even showing a slight drop compared with 2023, keeping it the most affordable and widely consumed option.
Multiple causes
The president of the Butchers’ Association, Costas Leivadiotis, told Politis that the price hikes do not concern only Cyprus. “Since the war in Ukraine, meat prices have risen by more than 50%. Pork has seen some correction, but beef remains up by more than 65%. Globally, chicken has surpassed pork in demand. In Cyprus, the balance is now roughly 40-40 between chicken and pork.”
He also noted that “the lack of slaughterhouses causes delays and drives up costs. Today, there are only two left, meaning professionals from Paralimni and Paphos are forced to transport animals to Ayios Ioannis Malountas and Kato Moni. This adds to the burden on producers and, ultimately, consumers.”
Leivadiotis further pointed out that pig farms are closing down, a trend seen across Europe due to the policies being implemented.
He added that butchers themselves are also under economic pressure. “Three-quarters of butcher shops have closed over the past 20 years, leaving the market more concentrated,” he said, noting this may also be a factor driving prices higher.
Shift to chicken
Across Europe, pork is losing ground in everyday diets, while chicken has emerged as a staple choice. Despite market pressures, Cyprus reports the lowest rate in the EU of people unable to afford a meat-based meal, at just 3.5% of the population. In contrast, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and Hungary exceed 37%, while Greece is above 30%.
Beyond rising feed costs, EU policies, and dependence on imports that are reshaping Cyprus’s meat sector, another reason poultry dominates daily meals is medical advice. Doctors increasingly recommend limiting red meat and opting for leaner products like chicken for cardiovascular health and balanced nutrition.