There has been a notable shift in the habits of Greek consumers during the last few years as soaring prices have forced them to turn to strict budgeting even when shopping at their local open-air street market “Laiki agora.”
Comparing prices from stall to stall before deciding which fruit or vegetable to buy has become common practice among shoppers, while even customer traffic at open-air street markets has declined, with vendors attributing the slowdown to the summer holiday season as well as tighter household budgets.
Consumers are increasingly limiting their purchases to essential items and buying smaller quantities.
Seasonal fruit and vegetable prices remain relatively affordable, with watermelons selling for 0.60–0.69 euros per kilogram, melons for 1.00–1.50 euros, potatoes and onions at 0.80 euros, and tomatoes, grapes and oranges priced at around 1.00 euro per kilogram.
One market vendor and producer highlighted the price advantage of fresh produce over supermarkets, noting that 800 grams of okra can cost 8 euros at a supermarket, while freshly harvested okra is available at the market for 6 euros per kilogram. He said prices remained reasonable, pointing to watermelons at 0.60 euros per kilogram, melons at 1.00 euro, and premium varieties at 1.50 euros.
However, he added that customer turnout has been very low, largely because many people are away on summer holidays.
Producers say they are making every effort to keep prices affordable despite rising production costs, hoping to ease the burden on consumers while maintaining demand during the quieter summer period.
