The Easter spread can go ahead as planned and any scaremongering is annulled by the market itself, Cyprus Supermarket Association executive secretary Andreas Hadjiadamou said on Tuesday.

Hadjiadamou told the Cyprus News Agency that the only real increase in prices seen so far was for gas, which went up by €4.5 per cylinder, while other basic products did not see such price increases. The association, he added, would react to the gas prices.

“In every crisis we hear the same thing. Exaggerations before there are even facts,” he said, debunking claims that the market was out of control, there were serious shortages and the price of lamb had skyrocketed to €20/kg.

There will be enough products on the market and, if not, every supermarket has a plan B, including importing from abroad, Hadjiadamou said.

“So far, there is no substantive increase in lamb prices compared to last year. On the contrary, experience tells us that the closer the Holy Week comes, prices will drop due to intensifying offers,” he added.

According to Hadjiadamou, “the supermarkets will absorb part of the pressure, reducing their profit margin.”

However, he did admit to some isolated cases in which retailers increased prices and called on everyone to act in a responsible manner.

And while he also admitted the supply had been tested, he assured there would be no shortages.

“The next days are expected to confirm in practice that the fuss of the past weeks was greater than the true picture of the market,” he said.