Watermelon and melon prices have become unaffordable for many consumers, who are increasingly voicing their frustration over the exorbitant costs. These high prices are forcing people to either forgo these fruits altogether or settle for purchasing half instead of a whole.
"Previously, we used to buy a whole watermelon. This year, we're only getting half because the price is beyond our means," one woman said in an interview.
According to producers from Achaia, watermelons are sold directly from the fields for €0.20 to €0.25. By the time they reach the central market in Athens, the price increases to €0.55, and they are sold at markets for €0.80, in supermarkets for €0.70, and in grocery stores for €0.98. This represents a markup of up to 390% from the field to the store shelf.
Even greater price discrepancies are observed with melons. Specifically, melons are sold from the field at €0.50 to €0.55 per kilogram, reach the central market in Athens at €1.20, and are sold at markets for €1.68, in supermarkets for €2.30, and in grocery stores for €2.69. This means that the price markup from the field to the store shelf can reach up to 438%.
This year, the price of watermelon has increased by 33.3% per kilogram. "Previously, we used to buy a whole watermelon. This year, we're only getting half because the price is beyond our means," one woman said in an interview with a TV channel.
According to producers from Achaia, watermelons are sold directly from the fields for €0.20 to €0.25. By the time they reach the central market in Athens, the price increases to €0.55, and they are sold at markets for €0.80, in supermarkets for €0.70, and in grocery stores for €0.98. This represents a markup of up to 390% from the field to the store shelf.
Source: rua.gr