Filenews 9 November 2021 - by Angelos Nikolaou
The great mobilization of consumers, supermarkets, but also competent ones, led to second thoughts in the dairy industry, which would have proceeded from today to an increase in the retail price by 3%. The Cyprus Consumers' Association, a large supermarket chain and the Consumer Protection Service of the Ministry of Commerce described any increases as unjustified. The Consumers' Association called for a boycott of the companies that will make increases in the price of fresh pasteurized milk, the supermarket chain informed the dairy industry that it will not accept any increase and therefore will not sell these products, while the commerce ministry warned with the only weapon it has in its quiver, the submission of a cap.
All the above led yesterday the dairy industry to suspend its decision and will not proceed from today to the increase of the price of milk, as it had announced. The suspension of the decision is expected to satisfy those who protested against this decision. It is noted that the decision of the dairy industry for increases was not justified since the raw material, i.e. milk, had not increased. The company, however, cited increases in the previous four months in fuel by 22%, energy by 36%, fuel oil by 40% and high-quality plastic for bottling by 70%. The data of the dairy industry as explained to the Consumers' Association were not convinced and as a result we reached the reactions that led to the suspension of the increases.
The deputy director of the consumer protection service, Antonis Ioannou, said that any increase had not been justified. He added that the support of producers which was announced and the fact that the price of electricity is at the same level as last year, led to the conclusion that there is no justification for an increase in prices. He described the milk market as an oligopoly and explained that there is the possibility, if necessary, for the state to set a ceiling on the price.
The reversal of the decision of the dairy industry comes at a time when the consumer is being bombarded with increases in the prices of products, basic and non-basic, but without being able to react, accepting in protest any increases.
