Consumer association report reveals significant price discrepancies on e-kalathi platform

A survey conducted by the Cyprus Consumers Association on September 12, 2026, has highlighted substantial price variations for identical products sold across supermarkets participating in the government-backed e-kalathi platform. The findings suggest a lack of robust competition among most retail chains, as 69.1% of monitored items—specifically 329 products—displayed price discrepancies exceeding 30% between the highest and lowest available costs.

Specific data indicates that 55 items (11.6%) showed extreme price gaps ranging from 100% to 207%, while 135 items (28.4%) varied by 50% to 99%, and 129 items (27.1%) saw differences between 30% and 49%. Furthermore, 81 products (17%) exhibited deviations between their maximum and average prices of 50% to 130%. The association also identified data entry errors on the platform and noted that several products are stocked in only a limited number of outlets, rendering them unsuitable for broader price comparisons.

In response to these findings, the association has called for a comprehensive review of the product list included in the e-kalathi platform. While the report notes that domestically produced goods generally experience smaller price fluctuations, the association continues to emphasize the need for systemic improvements to ensure the platform functions as an effective tool for transparency and consumer protection.