In Northern Cyprus, fruit prices have reached record levels: grapes have become a luxury

Residents of Northern Cyprus complain about the sharp rise in fruit and food prices. Many note that this summer, due to the high cost, grapes did not appear in their homes at all. At the market in Girne, which traditionally operates on Wednesdays, fruit prices have reached record levels, and more and more families are being forced to give up familiar seasonal products.

According to traders, table grapes are sold at 150 Turkish lira per kilogram, while the prices for figs and plums reach up to 250 lira per kilogram. For most buyers, such sums are unaffordable, especially for those living on fixed incomes.

Buyers recall that not long ago grapes were available at moderate prices, but this season has turned out to be particularly difficult. Many families either refuse fruit altogether or buy them in minimal quantities to save money for more essential products.

Sellers explain the price increase by the rise in production costs: expenses for fuel, electricity, fertilizers, packaging, and transportation have all jumped. All these factors directly affect the final cost for the consumer.

The situation is causing growing dissatisfaction among residents. People demand that the authorities pay attention to the sharp rise in prices, offer support measures to farmers, and introduce controls over speculative trade so that fresh products once again become accessible to the wider population.