A growing number of Turkish consumers are traveling to Alexandroupoli, Greece, to purchase groceries at significantly lower prices, a trend reported by Turkish newspaper Sozcu on January 31. Bus routes from Turkey to the Greek city now run up to twice a week, with some trips organized exclusively for buying ground beef.
The phenomenon, noted over recent months, appears to be becoming more established. Shoppers fill bags and suitcases with meat, dairy, pasta, and other essentials before returning to Turkey, taking advantage of the substantial price difference.
A Sozcu correspondent who joined one of these trips reported that a typical basket of groceries costing 2,792 Turkish lira (around €54) in Turkey could be purchased in Greece for 1,709 lira (approximately €33), highlighting the cost savings.
Alexandroupoli has emerged as the primary destination for these cross-border shoppers due to its comparatively lower food prices. Turkish consumers note that this situation represents a reversal of past trends, when Greeks frequently traveled to Turkey for shopping. The sharp rise in prices in Turkey has shifted the dynamic, making trips to Greece increasingly attractive for everyday groceries.
