Prices at supermarkets in Greece fell by 0.15% in August 2026 compared with August 2025, according to research by the Institute of Retail Consumer Goods Research (IELKA), marking negative annual inflation in the sector.
The supermarket price index edged up by just 0.28% in August compared with July 2026. Over the rolling 12-month period from August 2025 to July 2026, prices increased by 1.22%, while the June-August summer quarter recorded a marginal decline of 0.08%.
Individual product categories also showed only small fluctuations compared with the first months of the year.
Of the 23 categories examined by IELKA, 13 recorded price increases while 10 recorded declines.
Fresh fruit and vegetables lead price declines
The largest year-on-year price reductions in August 2026 occurred in the following categories:
- Fresh fruit and vegetables: -7.60%
- Pet food and pet products: -2.32%
- Fresh and frozen yeast: -1.93%
- Alcoholic beverages: -1.63%
- Fresh fish and seafood: -1.07%
IELKA attributed the declines to both the normalisation of market conditions and lower producer prices for certain products.
The institute highlighted the significant reduction in prices for fresh products. Fruit and vegetable prices, particularly fruit, benefited from favourable weather conditions, while fresh meat prices reflected the normalisation of producer and import prices.
Snacks and processed foods record largest increases
At the other end of the scale, several categories recorded notable annual price increases in August:
- Appetisers, preserved foods and other served products: +3.42%
- Cold cuts: +3.06%
- Biscuits and chocolate: +2.63%
- Nuts: +2.62%
- Water, soft drinks and juices: +2.55%
Why supermarket prices remain relatively contained
IELKA identified several factors behind the broader stabilisation of supermarket prices.
Contained inflation: Large food retailers have kept price increases under control over the past two years, helped by the large volumes of products they handle, economies of scale, organisational and technological readiness, and the growing availability of private-label products.
Faster inventory turnover: Price reductions reach large retail outlets more quickly because they turn over inventory faster. This allows supermarkets to replenish their stocks sooner and benefit more quickly from changes in purchasing prices.
Growing role of private-label products: Private-label products account for a larger share of sales at major supermarket chains because they offer a broader range of products. Their market share has also increased over the past two years.
The August figures therefore point to a broadly stable supermarket pricing environment in Greece, with substantial declines in fresh produce offsetting increases across several processed-food and beverage categories.
