Price Cuts on 1,000 Products Offer Little Relief from Soaring Costs

Greece’s latest government initiative to tackle inflation — a list of 1,000 consumer goods with reduced prices — is being met with skepticism. Despite being promoted as a relief measure, experts say it amounts to a “drop in the ocean” for households already strained by soaring living costs.

The plan, expected to be unveiled around October 15, calls on suppliers and supermarkets to voluntarily reduce prices by 6% to 24% on select items. Products set to be included range from pasta, bread, and dairy to detergents and personal care goods. Yet, key essentials such as meat, fresh fruit, and vegetables — the items most affected by price hikes — are notably missing.

According to Apostolos Raftopoulos, head of Greece’s Consumer Workers’ Union, the absence of these staples undermines the initiative’s impact. “The champions of inflation — beef, coffee, fish, fresh fruit and vegetables — are not included,” he said.