The neighboring countries are expecting to welcome an expensive Easter this year - a price increase is observed for almost all basic products for the holiday meal compared to last year, BTA writes.
A similar trend is also observed in our country before Easter. The summarized report of the regional offices for monitoring consumer prices of the Agricultural Market Information System (SAPI) indicates an accelerated increase in the price of traditional Easter products before the holidays (as of April 1).
Against the backdrop of annual inflation of 3.3 percent and the upcoming first Easter in euros, consumers are welcoming the holidays with a 15-20 percent more expensive meal compared to 2025, according to SAPI. The price of lamb on a national scale is on average 16.10 euros per kilogram, with the leg of lamb reaching an average of 16.65 euros per kilogram, and the shoulder - 15.71 euros per kilogram, but there are clear regional differences. Compared to last year's Easter Basket (April 11-19, 2025), when lamb was offered at 13-14 euros per kilogram, the price increase is about 15 percent. A pre-Easter price increase is also observed in greenhouse vegetables. Class M eggs in our country are on average 0.29 euros per piece, and class L - 0.31 euros per piece. Organic eggs of class M reach 0.53 euros per piece, the data in the report also show.
Greece
This year's traditional Easter meal in Greece is noticeably more expensive, according to data from a survey by the General Federation of Consumers in Greece (INCA), cited by local media.
A survey of market prices in the week before Easter shows a cost of 412 euros for products intended for six to eight people, which is an increase of 14 to 20 percent compared to 2025, when the amount was 361.95 euros. The increase is about 50 euros.
According to the data, a kilogram of lamb costs between 14 and 16 euros in the countryside, but in Athens and Thessaloniki the price can reach 18 euros, and sometimes more. The traditional Greek dish kokoretsi – made from lamb or goat offal, costs about 24 euros per kilogram and a half.
The study also provides information on the price of vegetables. A bunch of lettuce sells for 1 euro; a kilogram of tomatoes - 3.20 euros; a kilogram of cucumbers - 0.90 euros; fresh onions - 0.95 euros. The traditional Greek appetizer tzatziki costs 4.90 euros per kilogram; a kilogram of feta cheese - 14 euros; traditional large eggs for painting at home plus the dye cost 15.60 euros for 20 pieces. Bread is sold for 2.40 euros.
The data also shows an increase in the price of traditional kozunak, as a kilogram of it can reach 22 euros.
The study also covers other types of costs, such as charcoal for grilling. It is stated that a 20-kilogram sack of charcoal reaches a price of 36 euros. Also included are the prices of alcohol, soft drinks, olive oil, electricity needed to prepare food and other expenses.
Romania
Romanians will welcome the most expensive Easter ever, according to estimates by local economists. According to experts, the main reasons for the increase in prices are high inflation, increased prices of traditional products and more expensive fuels due to the crisis in the Middle East.
Eggs have become 14 percent more expensive than last year, local media reported in their reports on the subject. In large chain stores, the average price of one egg is currently about 1 lei or 0.20 euro cents, if a large shell of 30 eggs is purchased, the BTA correspondent checked on site. The price of 10 eggs varies between 12 and 23 lei (2.35 and 4.51 euros), painted eggs are imported from Austria and the Netherlands and are more expensive - between 22 and 26 lei (4.32 and 5.10 euros).
The prices of Romanian-made kozunacs range widely - the cheapest is 13 lei (2.55 euros), the most expensive - 41 lei (8.04 euros). In traditional bakeries and pastry shops, the price of sweet pastries starts at 40 lei (7.85 euros) and reaches 120 lei (23.54 euros).
The most expensive item on the traditional Easter menu remains lamb. In markets and shops, a kilogram of it sells for between 55 and 65 lei (10.79 and 12.75 euros).
Fresh salad vegetables are relatively affordable. A head of lettuce sells for 2.49 lei (0.49 euros), a bunch of green onions costs 1.49 lei (0.29 euros), and radishes cost 1.69 lei (0.33 euros).
Romanians will spend between 500 and 1,000 lei (98 and 196 euros) for Easter, the newspaper “Adeverul“ reports, citing the Consumer Index. In total, 40 percent expect higher spending for the holiday than in 2025.
Republic of North Macedonia
Lamb meat is sold in stores in North Macedonia for between 700 and 1,000 denars (12-17 euros) per kilogram, despite the purchase price that farmers receive - between 270 and 280 denars (just over 4 euros) per live weight. Producers from the country traditionally export lamb to the European market. Last year alone, nearly 100,000 lambs were sold outside North Macedonia - most in Croatia - 44,000, Bulgaria - 25,000 and Greece - 8,400. This year, about 80 percent of the lambs weighing 25-26 kg have already been exported to Croatia, Italy and Albania.
Eggs, which are also traditionally dyed here for Easter, are sold for 11-13 denars (0.18-0.19 euros) per piece in stores. Homemade eggs can also be found in the markets, with their price being 20 denars per piece (0.32 euros).
Among vegetables, tomatoes can be found at prices between 180 and 300 denars (about 3 to 5 euros), in hypermarkets the cheapest cucumbers are 80 denars (1.80 euros), and in the markets they can reach twice as high a price, lettuces are sold for 50-70 denars (0.80-1.30 euros), and spring strawberries for 300 denars per kilogram (just under 5 euros). In the country, kozunaci are not part of the traditional Easter table.
Serbia
The traditional choice for Easter lunch in Serbia is roast pork, not lamb, as in Bulgaria, according to a BTA on-site inspection. Pork is sold for prices between 600 dinars (5.11 euros) and 850 dinars (7.24 euros) per kilogram, and lamb, depending on the region of Serbia, costs from 420 dinars (3.58 euros) to 500 dinars (4.26 euros) per kilogram of live weight.
Eggs in supermarkets are around 13 dinars (0.11 euros) per piece, but on the market they can reach up to 30 dinars (0.26 euros). Egg dye and decorations are an additional cost and range from 80 to 200 dinars (0.68 to 1.70 euros) per piece, while a complete set of dye and decorations costs up to 3,000 dinars (25.56 euros).
Some of the Easter dishes also include fish, which is traditionally eaten in Serbia on Good Friday. In the country's city markets, fresh hake and mackerel cost 900 dinars (7.67 euros) per kilogram, while frozen mackerel can be found for 450 dinars (3.83 euros). Fresh carp in the markets costs 1,300 dinars (11.08 euros), and fresh catfish can be found for around 1,800 dinars (15.34 euros) per kilogram. More expensive fish, such as salmon and trout, reach prices of 1,200 to 2,000 dinars (10.23 to 17.04 euros) per kilogram in shops and supermarkets, depending on the origin and processing method.