Average Consumer Basket in North Cyprus
Hello world! One of the most common questions is: how much do products cost in North Cyprus?
Today we will tell you in detail about the most common stores that are visited not only by locals, but also by all Russian-speakers. We will also talk about the “consumer basket”, which will include the prices of common products on the island.
- Starling
- Lemar
- ileli Market
- Şah Marketplace
Consumer basket
It is a set of goods and services necessary for the consumption of a person or family. Usually it includes:
- Bread products (bread and pasta);
- Vegetables, melons and fresh fruits;
- Sugar and confectionery;
- Meat products;
- Fish products;
- Milk and dairy products;
- Chicken egg;
- Vegetable oil, tea, coffee, salt and spices;
- Alcoholic beverages.
Starling Store
Quite a popular store, where not only Europeans, locals, but also Russians like to go. The word “Russians” is used by the Cypriots to mean “everyone who knows and speaks this language”. All those who are from the mainland 🙂 Ukrainians, Russians, Kazakhs and others – it doesn’t matter. The Russians and that’s it! 🙂 Let’s move directly to the store itself…
A little, and get used to Turkish words… Giriş – Entrance Çıkış – Exit
In order to approximately navigate (without looking at currency exchange applications) in the exchange rates of the Turkish lira to the ruble – feel free to multiply by 10. Since it is not always possible for guests of the island to access the Internet. Example, you see “burger buns” on the price tag at a price of 9.5 lira. For Russian money (RUB) it will be approximately = 95 rubles. If you still want to know the exchange rate exactly, you can download the application to your XE phone. What is the convenience of this application?!?!?! You can select several currencies there at the same time.
Since in Northern Cyprus, the popular currencies are the Turkish lira, pound sterling, dollar and euro. Then you can easily see the current exchange rate and understand how much any product costs in your national currency (RUB/BYN/UAH).
Here, for example, is a loaf. It is available in all stores in North Cyprus. And prices for it vary: from 2.25 lira to 3.0. Often, you can find it warm, as deliveries from bakeries can be made up to 2 times a day to the store. In some stores, it is delivered once every 1-2 days. But it’s a very tasty local loaf.
And this bread with bran and seeds is also very tasty. It costs between 11.50 and 16 lira. Depending on the store. What is interesting… But flour in North Cyprus is grown and processed in environmentally friendly conditions. Since there are no factories and large industries in the northern part of the island.
Chicken and quail egg (Starling)
A classic white egg (Beyaz yumurta) in Starling costs 17-22 lira (30 pcs). There are also more expensive options. By the way, who lived in Russia for a long time, and then came to Northern Cyprus. They will be pleasantly surprised by the color of the yolk – it looks like a village egg. The chickens here are noble 🙂 🙂 🙂
By the way, if you like quail eggs, then there are also plenty of them on the island. It costs from 11 liras to 17 = 110-170 rubles in Russian money for 12 pieces.
Vegetables in North Cyprus
Vegetables, as you know, are fresh in Northern Cyprus, relative to northern countries, of course. A huge plus is that they spoil quite quickly! Many consider this a disadvantage, but I will explain my point of view. Yes, of course, you want to buy carrots or tomatoes and know that they will last in your refrigerator for 1-2 weeks (as in Russia). And you will use them at the right time… But alas, here, everything is different – 3-4 days and if you do not eat them, they begin to spoil. Even in the fridge! 🙂 This means that the product is of high quality and without unnecessary chemical additives. You see, apples cannot, for example, lie for 2-3 months and not change color and appearance – this is simply impossible in the natural environment. How does it all work here? State verification. A special inspection that checks vegetables and fruits for nitrates, pesticides and herbicides. If the batch does not meet the quality standards, it will be destroyed. This allows you to control the quality turnover of products in Northern Cyprus. So, let’s move on to the prices…
Starling. Fruit prices
The average consumer basket in Northern Cyprus – now let’s take a full basket 🙂
Nectarine, for example, for 24 liras. Peaches for 22 Turkish liras. Apples (Gold) 11 liras. Kiwi 40 liras. Grapefruit costs 25 Turkish liras. Also, by the way, it is worth taking into account the seasonality of certain fruits. At the height of the season, they are much cheaper. Now watermelon (September 24) costs 5 liras per 1 kg. then 4-5 lira for 1 watermelon. Or many offers for 0.99-1.5 lira per 1 kilogram.
And the prices for vegetables are as follows: A tomato costs 12 liras now. Cucumbers are sold for 4-5 lira. Green and red peppers 9.5. Potatoes now cost about 5-6 liras per 1 kg. A chicken carcass, for example, costs 24 liras per 1 kg.
In the cheese department you can find a huge number of “delicious dishes” from 14 liras to 40-50. And Mozzarella cheese for 2 kg will cost 97-110 liras. Different stores have their own prices.
By the way, for tea lovers there is a large choice in the departments: from Turkish to English teas. The only thing is that the choice of green tea is not great – tension in the country 🙂 Just kidding… Turks and Cypriots are very fond of black tea, so so… They import, but you will not find a large and rich selection… Or, if only go to a specialized store of “herbs” or “teas”.
And here is freezing in refrigerators… Let’s see… 🙂 If you pay attention to the “manti” (Superfresh packaging in the center), they are very different from Tatar cuisine. By the way, all products that spoil quickly are frozen here. After all, in summer it reaches +45.
Interesting note
I also really like the local tradition – it is very funny. In Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, for what purposes is the sidewalk intended?!?!? To walk on it! That’s right. And here, no, not like this… To put your goods on it! LLC, how… It’s unusual at first, but then you get used to it… 🙂 🙂 🙂 And any, even a small store, strives to put something on the street )))))
Well, we move on, now let’s discuss the Lemar store.
Lemar Shop
Lemar is the largest supermarket, which is located in almost all corners of the northern part of the island. Let’s take a look at its pricing policy.
Dairy Department
Dairy department with a small selection of producers. Milk is as in a Tetra Pak package. There are also in glass bottles, as in Soviet times, if you remember. There is also milk in plastic containers. I tell you, very tasty… In terms of prices, on average from 8 lira to 10-12. There are types of milk with flavors: chocolate, banana, etc.
If you notice, many packages in the Lemar store have the inscription “5 + 1”. You buy 5 pieces, and 1 as a gift. Only cigarettes, wine and some other goods are not covered by this promotion… But vegetable oil costs an average of 20-24 lira.
Cereals, flour, pasta
Buckwheat is a bit expensive here, I can tell you – 22-24 lira per 1 kg. Jasmine rice costs 19 Turkish liras.
Many Russian speakers are very fond of merjimek cream soup “chorbasy”. Cereals for this soup cost 10 lira. Come! Give it a shot!
And bulgur costs 7 TL.
Flour costs an average of 10-12 liras per 1 kilogram.
Tomato paste
Vegetable department
All vegetables grow and flaunt on the shelves of local producers. Imported apples, coconuts are usually imported… something exotic… 🙂 And the rest, everything is different here…
Wine and vodka department
There is a lot of alcohol in Northern Cyprus, and it is an order of magnitude cheaper than in Moscow, for example. Compare for yourself… 🙂 By the way, the choice of beer is only very modest. You will not be able to find cherry beer of 15-20 different flavors. There is no such thing here!
If you really like red-sweet wine, then you will have to be upset. Either you will not find it on the shelves, or it was brought in limited quantities and it has already been sold out a long time ago 🙂 Or you need to look for it in the Shah store, for example. Something will brighten up your birthdays or weekends – the wine is very similar to the red-semi-sweet (in this case, it is rosé) “MATEUS Tempranillo”. Recommend… Delicious… 🙂 There are simply no other options, sweet Georgian or Abkhazian wines (2-3-4 degrees, like compote)… Alas…
All Europeans (including the British) love dry wines.
Read and send to your friends in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and the CIS. Compare prices in your countries and comment… ?
Finally…
Be sure to come to North Cyprus. To see with your own eyes the virgin nature, to eat non-pesticide and delicious food… Take a dip in the clearest sea… Aaaa… what you need now! 🙂 Well, we say to you “see you soon! We will gain strength and write another big article about the promised 2 stores:
- ileli Market
- Şah Marketplace
We are online…
If you want to rent a property or buy, then“I ask you to come to our hut” 🙂 Our managers will help you and give you good advice on apartments and villas in North Cyprus… Write and call any services and social networks. Wait! 🙂 You have read the article: Average consumer basket in Northern Cyprus.
Other information about North Cyprus can be found here – at this link. Source: Veles Enterprises Article prepared by: Valerii Veles Ask your question directly to the experts at Veles.
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