Cypriot families who traditionally fill their Easter tables with lamb will face a double challenge this year: sharply rising prices and genuine concerns about supply.
Kostas Livadiotis, head of the Pancyprian Butchers’ Association, warns that the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) situation has created a serious market shortage. “We traditionally slaughter around 35,000 lambs and kids for Easter. We don’t expect demand to be met,” he says.
The problem is compounded by import difficulties: Greece is battling sheep pox and FMD outbreaks, with the entire island of Lesbos under quarantine. The solution being pursued? Imports from Bulgaria and Romania.
Lamb prices already range from €13.25 to €15.75 per kilogram, compared to €10.50–€13.65 last Easter. They haven’t peaked yet — further increases are expected as the holiday approaches.
According to the Consumer Protection Service, some 25,000 sheep and goats have been culled so far (5.5% of the population), half of which would have been slaughtered for Easter. Beef prices have surged 25% year-on-year, while lamb is up 6.7%.
Many consumers have already rushed to stock up on meat, fearing shortages during the holiday. The alternative? Pork, which is in oversupply following China’s 20% tariffs on European pork imports.
