Supermarket inflation stands at 2.4% in March 2026; price increases up to 12.7%

Compared to February, the March 2026 price index fell by 0.15%, while in the 12-month period (April 2025–March 2026) it recorded an overall increase of 1.62%.

The biggest price reductions in March 2026 compared to March 2025 were observed in the following categories:

Detergents and cleaning products: -4.47%
Pet food and supplies: -4.07%
Grocery foods: -1.96%
Frozen foods: -1.67%
Paper products, cosmetics, and personal care items: -1.66%

IELKA noted that these decreases reflect both market normalization and lower producer prices for certain products. The largest drops occurred in detergents, cleaning products, and grocery foods, particularly in dry food categories.

Conversely, the categories with the most significant price increases in March 2026 versus March 2025 were:

Appetizers, salted products, and other ready-to-serve items: +12.7%
Fresh fruits and vegetables: +10.45%
Fresh meats: +9.89%
Processed meats (cold cuts): +5.73%
Baby and infant foods: +5.71%

The rise in prices for salted products, olives, pickles, and other ready-to-serve items is mainly due to seasonal timing differences.

Increases in fresh fruits and vegetables were primarily driven by adverse weather conditions in January and February 2025, including higher rainfall and flooding.

Fresh meat price hikes reflect two main factors:

Rising international prices for imported meats, particularly beef, due to reductions in livestock supply (most beef and pork consumed in Greece is imported).
Animal diseases affecting local livestock, especially lamb and goat populations in several regions of Greece.

Chocolate price increases showed a significant deceleration, rising at a lower rate compared to previous months.