The national Greek dish souvlaki* in the center of Athens is now sold for 3-4 euros per piece, and kalamaki** – from 2 euros per piece. And with rising prices, the cost of these iconic Greek dishes is expected to rise even further.
In fact, people no longer buy several souvlaki, but instead prefer to buy one instead of two.
President of the Souvladzirika Union of Attiki Nikos Angelosoulis, in conversation with a correspondent Open during the program “Hour of Greece” (“Ώρα Ελλάδος”), spoke about the current situation: “Energy prices have doubled, we pay double bills, rent has increased. Unfortunately, we no longer know from day to day what the price will be for the products we buy. Before the war, you knew a week in advance where the price would go and adjusted. Now rates vary from day to day.
Before the war [В Украине****. Прим. редакции] the souvlaki in my souvlatzidiko*** cost 2.50-2.60 euros. Now 3 euros if you pick up from the store, or 3.30 with delivery. This is an expected increase. We are trying to keep the price at the same level, I think that it will continue to rise for some time. There is no decline in patronage, there is a decline in consumption. The reason is that people cannot buy 2 packs of souvlaki. They buy 1 or 1 kalamaki instead. And we’re trying to adapt to that.”
As the entrepreneur notes: “No matter what happens, souvlaki will remain the cheapest dish. Meat will still rise in price, potatoes will rise in price, vegetables will rise in price. In my store, I predict that prices will not rise by Christmas, no matter how much the tariffs increase.”
However, from the new year we may see an even greater increase if prices do not fall.
PS With the increase in VAT to 24% instead of the current 13%, the price will automatically increase by 11%. However, this is not all. Following food products, other interrelated prices will rise, which will lead to a new round of inflation, which (despite assurances from the authorities) is already gradually turning into hyperinflation.
*Souvlaki
Souvlaki in Greek culture they are not considered food. This is something in between, because the process of preparing these dishes is as simple as two pennies, unlike real food, which, the Greeks are convinced, must be prepared for a long time and thoroughly.
***Suvladziriko (let’s translate it into Russian as “souvlachnaya”) – a street food shop, this is what replaces fast food for the Greeks.
*In a word “souvlaki” name several varieties of dishes based on grilled meat. They are prepared directly in front of you. Can be ordered souvlaki take away, or you can sit down at a table and deal with it on the spot. A regular portion costs from 1.5 to 4 euros. The price depends on what you choose – pita gyros, **kalamaki or kebab.
**Kalamaki
Small skewers of meat or poultry on wooden skewers are considered fast food in Greece. Served kalamaki on a skewer with white bread and lemon slices or in pita with onions and tzatziki salad.
**** The war in Ukraine has become the main justification for rising prices and declining living standards for the Greek authorities.
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