Greece’s Development Ministry published a list of 50 proposed basic goods for the so-called “household shopping basket” for which supermarkets are expected to contain price hikes or scale back future increases.
The list follows up on a meeting between Development & Investments Minister Adonis Georgiadis and representatives of supermarket chains in Greece. According to reached agreement, goods in 31 categories would see zero to very low price hikes.
The list includes the following items, per category:
FOOD
- “Carolina” types of rice
- Bread for toast
- Bread loaf
- Rusks
PASTA
- Spaghetti No. 6
MEATS, FISH
- Packaged pork
- Packaged poultry
- Cold cuts (turkey, “pariza”)
- Frozen fish (at least one such product)
DAIRY
- Fresh full milk
- Fresh low-fat (2%) milk
- Evaporated milk
- Yogurt (cow’s milk, plain)
- Yogurt (cow’s milk, plain, low-fat up to 2%)
- Cheese (including feta, gouda, low-fat cheese)
OTHER FOOD, BEVERAGES
- Packaged tomato juice
- Eggs (caged, range-free chickens)
- Margerine
- Virgin olive oil
- Sunflower oil
- Frozen vegetables (at least one of: peas, okra, frozen green beans)
- White sugar
- Baby formula
- Babymilk
- Coffee (Greek, instant, French/filter)
- Tea or chamomile
- Cocoa powder
- Bottled water (500 ml or 1 lt)
- Orange juice
- At least one kind of soda beverage
CLEANING SOLUTIONS
- Hand sanitizers
- Detergents (liquid, powder; not tablets)
- Cleaning fluids, chlorine
- Dishwashing liquid (for handwashing)
- Kitchen towels
PERSONAL HEALTH
- Toothpaste
- Toilet paper
- Sanitary pads
- Tampons
- Shampoo
- Soap bars
- Adult diapers
SUPPLIES FOR CHILDREN
- Diapers
- Baby wipes
- Baby shampoo
ANIMAL FOOD
- Dog food
- Cat food
The list of the 50 items will be released by each supermarket and uploaded on a special app/website where consumers can compare as well as at the entrance and possible on the shelves.
State broadcaster ERT reported on Wednesday morning that the list will be updated every 15 days or once a week. This means, that for example a yogurt of a specific company may be replaced by one of another company.
Furthermore and according to the ministry -supermarkets agreement price increases in these 50 items may not be over 3%-4% if the inflation is over 10%.
The supermarket lists with the offered prices are expected in the next two weeks, at the end of October, the latest.
The move has been met with criticism by the Institute for Consumers’ Protection (INKA). Its president Giorgos Lehouritis told media that it is just a government PR trick to send consumers to supermarkets.
On social media, Greeks mock the “household basket” as government policy to relief consumers amid soaring prices and inflation at 12%, saying “supermarkets make new offers once a week, anyway.”
And others point out to a shocking reality: Spaghetti No 5, the thick pasta with the hole to absorb spicy and cheese sauce, used for the famous Greek Pastitsio is out of the list!.
