Christmas meals are set to cost more this year, with beef prices recording sharp increases and traditional festive sweets, including melomakarona and kourabiedes, also becoming more expensive, according to the Christmas Price Observatory released on Friday by the Consumer Protection Service of the Ministry of Commerce.
By contrast, pork prices have fallen compared with last year, while prices for lamb, goat and chicken have shown only marginal changes. At the same time, vegetable prices present a mixed picture, with steep increases for some items and notable drops for others.
How the data were collected
According to the Consumer Protection Service, price data for fresh meat were collected from 86 retail outlets, including large and small supermarkets and neighbourhood butcheries. Vegetable prices were gathered from 35 points of sale, while prices for festive sweets were recorded at 45 outlets, including supermarkets and bakeries or confectioneries. The survey covers all districts.
The data reflect retail prices in force on December 18, 2025 and aim to provide consumers with clearer information ahead of the Christmas holidays.
Beef up, pork down
The Observatory shows significant year-on-year increases in beef prices. Boneless local topside rose by 15.95 per cent, with an average price of €15.13 per kilogram. Local beef steak recorded an increase of 22.87 per cent, averaging €13.34 per kilogram, while another cut of local beef steak rose by 17.52 per cent to an average of €12.50 per kilogram.
In contrast, several pork products became cheaper. Pork neck with bone fell by 3.35 per cent to an average of €6.30 per kilogram. Pork shoulder with bone dropped by 4.92 per cent to €5.24, pork neck steak declined by 4.12 per cent to €6.27, and minced pork shoulder fell by 4.16 per cent to an average of €5.91 per kilogram.
Prices for lamb, goat and chicken recorded only minor fluctuations, either slightly up or down compared with last year.
Festive sweets also more expensive
Traditional Christmas treats are also seeing price increases. Almond kourabiedes rose by 4.87 per cent to an average of €13.09 per kilogram, while date-filled kourabiedes (phoinikota) increased by 2.72 per cent to €13.86 per kilogram. Packaged kourabiedes (500g) were the exception, recording a decrease of 2.96 per cent.
Melomakarona prices rose by 3.17 per cent to an average of €12.77 per kilogram. The largest increase among festive desserts was recorded for Christmas cake, which rose by 6.24 per cent year-on-year to an average price of €14.67.
Vegetables show sharp contrasts
Vegetable prices showed wide variation. Fresh potatoes fell sharply, down 22.22 per cent to an average of €1.01 per kilogram. Class I tomatoes recorded an even steeper drop of 45.12 per cent, averaging €1.40 per kilogram.
By contrast, greenhouse cucumbers rose by 25.96 per cent to €3.26 per kilogram, while field-grown cucumbers increased by 17.77 per cent to an average of €3.66.
Source: CNA