food here more or less expensive than uk?

englishman


Joined: 25/02/2012
Posts: 34

Message Posted:
13/03/2012 11:44

what do you think?how much is your weekly shop compared to what it would be in uk.

flossie44


Joined: 05/03/2009
Posts: 223

Message Posted:
13/03/2012 13:12

Meat is more expensive and also fish. Otherwise if you buy the local alternatives to some of our products it is roughly the same. Veg in season are generally much cheaper. Mind you I have not been out since last October so things may have changed, especially as the pound has gained value against the TL.



flossie

wagon


Joined: 01/04/2009
Posts: 154

Message Posted:
13/03/2012 13:24

more expensive here than UK

parkview



Joined: 12/03/2009
Posts: 1123

Message Posted:
13/03/2012 13:39

More expensive here than UK

Geoff


Joined: 25/06/2008
Posts: 1370

Message Posted:
13/03/2012 13:47

About 10% more expensive.

Booze and cigs much cheaper. I don't smoke anymore, but like a glass of wine with my evening meal.

Geoff

Famagusta City.

Deniz1


Joined: 28/07/2009
Posts: 3829

Message Posted:
13/03/2012 13:55

Ok how much is a large crusty loaf in the uk? its 28 pence here.

eagleyemonkey


Joined: 21/03/2010
Posts: 184

Message Posted:
13/03/2012 14:27

Loaves in NC are 300g. Large loaves in UK are 800g. ( Though in my opinion no-where near as nice )

simbas



Joined: 16/07/2007
Posts: 5943

Message Posted:
13/03/2012 14:27

Deniz1 , for a fresh loaf , £1.45p

Simbas

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
13/03/2012 14:33

Deniz1 Ok but "man cannot live by bread alone"



Fish here is expensive and the choice is very limited, (unless you enjoy Iceland Cr*p)



Meat is also expensive and generally poor/average quality.



In mid summer the Veg looks as though it has come from a skip..



On the whole as Geoff says 10% more expensive..

Tinkie


Joined: 16/03/2009
Posts: 1256

Message Posted:
13/03/2012 14:40

Generally its cheaper to eat out in local restaurants than it is to buy the ingredients in the supermarket and cook it yourself.

Deniz1


Joined: 28/07/2009
Posts: 3829

Message Posted:
13/03/2012 14:43

You obviously shop in the wrong places then Msg 9. All the fruit and veg are more or less organic not scrubbed clean of taste and flavour and are seasonal not forced. I buy all sorts of fish ok its a bit pricey but so are most places on the med. I agree the meat is expensive but i have found a good butcher and it tender. Compare the council tax too here i pay £ £40 for 9 months here against £75 per month in the uk and that was 9 years ago.

davpat


Joined: 23/08/2011
Posts: 225

Message Posted:
13/03/2012 15:03

would have thought being an island,that fish would be cheaper....and fresher!

crofter


Joined: 16/12/2008
Posts: 1035

Message Posted:
13/03/2012 15:07

martinD41 - Sea Bass is at least £1.00 per kilo cheaper here than in Morrisons, never mind the other more expensive supermarkets. Like Deniz1 says the 'council' rates are very very small compared with UK, no matter where you live. A decent wine here is much cheaper than a similar wine in UK.

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
13/03/2012 15:21

msg 13. What has Council Tax got to do with the price of food?"Sea Bass is £1.00 cheaper" I am not surprised, it is "Farmed" here.. The Wild Sea Bass I am used to comes from Sea to Table the same day...as well as countless other species ..and is generally as cheap as chips.. if you know the Boat Skipper.

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
13/03/2012 15:33

msg11.. in the real world there is no such thing as "More or less Organic".it either is or it isn't... In order to classify as organic the field has to have been "Free" of chemical pesticides for 5 years..which certainly does not apply here ..

loulou



Joined: 14/05/2008
Posts: 785

Message Posted:
13/03/2012 16:15

More expensive here than UK

swyflot


Joined: 07/11/2008
Posts: 916

Message Posted:
13/03/2012 16:22

Organic !!!!! Have you not seen the crops being sprayed with goodness knows what ?

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
13/03/2012 16:29

So folks there we have it...More expensive than UK and poorer quality/less choice.. Definitely NOT organic Deniz1...

Mindy



Joined: 27/10/2008
Posts: 1210

Message Posted:
13/03/2012 16:39

If you do not smoke or drink here it is definitely more expensive to live. almost 4 tl for a bag of self raising flour here, and only 1 kilo. In UK 40p

Woodspeckie


Joined: 25/01/2009
Posts: 2263

Message Posted:
13/03/2012 16:47

Just done a shop at Morrisons, Cod special offer £7.55 kg so stocked up. Large fresh baked 800g uncut loaf 70p, 4 chocolate muffins £1, Savoy cabbage 41p, 6 pears £1, 400g plums 50p, 8 tangerines 50p, 7 Breaburn apples £1, 8 oranges £1. Bottle of Australian red wine 14% £4.99.

moxie


Joined: 23/05/2009
Posts: 969

Message Posted:
13/03/2012 16:47

i agree it is more expensive in TRNC....shopping here is a laugh!!! its too cheap..i am here at the moment...T bags!!! they may as well give them away. 260 for £1.99 salad cream 75p...marmite 1.89p yes thats what im bringing back lol. Britain is cheaper. and no im not shopping in M&S or waitrose.

Smity



Joined: 14/09/2009
Posts: 826

Message Posted:
13/03/2012 17:08

The uk is going to be cheaper for british produce, import tax will and delivery will no dought count for a lot of the extra cost



But then it is a wonderful Place to live

moxie


Joined: 23/05/2009
Posts: 969

Message Posted:
13/03/2012 17:15

yes it is Smity...if you have a good income ? if you get a local wage then not so good ;(

the butler


Joined: 22/06/2007
Posts: 1958

Message Posted:
13/03/2012 17:22

Since arriving in TRNC we have started eating more vegetarian dishes and only eat fish once a week and chicken once a week. We do eat meat like lamb and pork when we go out to eat. We both feel we are getting a balanced diet and don't miss having meat every day. Look out for the local brands which are much cheaper than well known English brands. The vegetables here are lovely if you avoid the supermarkets, where most are past their best. Go to the wednesday market or ya belles and buy them fresh, they have a really good choice. Yes they are seasonal but who wants fruit & veg that have flown half way round the world? A lot of people move here and want what they bought at home, of course this will cost. Make changes and learn a different way of eating and cooking like the local food.





The butlers wife

Jonesy299


Joined: 07/02/2009
Posts: 367

Message Posted:
13/03/2012 19:33

It is a simple case of market forces - UK has a population of many tens of millions served by at least half a dozen well established (multi-national in some cases) supermarket chains that can buy enormous quantities in bulk, have enormous storage capability, organic transport arrangements and have a direct buyer relationship with the producers (even on imports based overseas). Of course UK prices are going to be lower than TRNC and the provision of quality food is much easier (irregular or ropey fruit and veg is simply not purchased - our local farmers in TRNC can only provide what they pull out of the ground or grow on the trees).

In addition - in my experience most meat in the Eastern Med is not brilliant quality (but I appreciate there are the occasional exceptions).

Mindy



Joined: 27/10/2008
Posts: 1210

Message Posted:
13/03/2012 19:44

4 Lamb chops at Atakara...10tl one bite on each, rest bone, but very tender..Pork steak 10tl for half kilo, lovely and tasty, enough for 3 people, Pork butcher Alsancak. I love lamb but it is just too pricey. No ones fault, not enough grass here.

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
13/03/2012 19:53

if the intention is to live cheap,then I suppose one cannot compare the availability of what grows wild in cyprus,which is free for anyone to pick,to uk.



wild asparagus,wild mallow,spinach,leaks..............the world famous mushrooms.......never paid for oranges,lemons,almonds,olives,olive oil.......................it's just endless..........free jams









comparing the uncomparable!

reyntj


Joined: 26/01/2011
Posts: 229

Message Posted:
13/03/2012 19:57

i dont think meats anymore expensive like for like if you buy from a butcher in the uk its not that cheap .the local butcher sells fillet steak for 45 tl which is c£17 per kilo and its top draw if you want to buy good quality fillet in uk you can pay £24.99 per kg.ive just checked online at sainsburys prices which is an averaged priced supermarket not the cheapest but again not the most expensive and lamb chops are c £15 per kilo thats 42 tl per kilo - hello wakey wakey i normally pay c 28 - 32 tl for top lamb chops and the taste the difference ones are £19.99 per kg thats 56 tl so lamb and steak are cheaper here unless your talking about some economy slop im going to do the same for chicken now be back soon with report

reyntj


Joined: 26/01/2011
Posts: 229

Message Posted:
13/03/2012 20:02

ok chickens are more expensive dont know how much they are here i think i payed 18 tl last time i bought one a similar chicken in the uk is £5 so about 14 tl.



have to stick to fillet steak and lamb chops - damn !

reyntj


Joined: 26/01/2011
Posts: 229

Message Posted:
13/03/2012 20:04

ok chickens are more expensive dont know how much they are here i think i payed 18 tl last time i bought one a similar chicken in the uk is £5 so about 14 tl.



have to stick to fillet steak and lamb chops - damn !

SWCathy


Joined: 22/11/2011
Posts: 292

Message Posted:
13/03/2012 20:12

I thought it was much more expensive here, until I returned home in August 2011. I was amazed at the price increases which had taken place within the 2 years we have been here. My view is that if you shop around you can buy very cheaply here. I never buy a chicken here now, only the breast and goujons - no bones, skin or fat, so mucy better value.

Woodspeckie


Joined: 25/01/2009
Posts: 2263

Message Posted:
13/03/2012 20:17

English chicken I bought yesterday was £2.59 had roast chicken dinner last night tonight it's chicken casserole with lots of veg and jacket potato, washed potato's 10kg £2.95. I don't shop at Sainsburys or Tesco they are far more expensive than Morrisons.

Woodspeckie


Joined: 25/01/2009
Posts: 2263

Message Posted:
13/03/2012 20:22

Cathy. check out my msg's 20 and 32 good for the diet that's how I have lost 7lb in two weeks and not expensive either.

rowlo



Joined: 12/10/2008
Posts: 4796

Message Posted:
13/03/2012 21:03

why compare food prices ?



you won on the property price , if the foods to dear for you i am sure yorgo will give you a lift to ercan for FREE , this only applies to one way tickets , NO SALE OR RETURN , proof of ticket must be shown to yorgo on pick up , ENJOY YOUR FLIGHT , saddo .

eyebob


Joined: 22/06/2010
Posts: 143

Message Posted:
13/03/2012 23:43

Oh yeah,UK cheaper?Rot, 4 tins of tomatoes £2 in Asda,Baked beans 80p a can,pre-packed fruit and veg,tasteless,lemons 90p each,the list is endless,go eat in UK and leave good grub for the rest of us.

simbas



Joined: 16/07/2007
Posts: 5943

Message Posted:
14/03/2012 07:46

Check out this site , it gives you the prices of a variety of foods in Asda , you can then compare correctly , you do have to join to enter the site

Simbas









http://asda.mysupermarket.co.uk/

icklepix


Joined: 23/10/2008
Posts: 194

Message Posted:
14/03/2012 08:00

I love the fruit and veg here and generally it's much cheaper than the UK just adapt your diet and you can live pretty cheaply. When I buy a chicken here at least I know where it comes from!!!

suehowlittle


Joined: 31/10/2010
Posts: 1202

Message Posted:
14/03/2012 09:58

Nothing to stop you keeping a few chickens and growing a bit of veg, at least then you will know that when the eggs stop then you still have the chicken to eat. You can ensure that you have the organic stuff if that is what is important to you.



The wild herbs and asparagus is brilliant, bring it back and cook it immediately for best flavour. The exercise will do you good too!



Love Cyprus, not expensive, if you eat 'properly' like the locals. I also do not pay for citrus fruits, pomegranites bademli (almonds), and olives.



Looking forward to harvesting my spinach but I think I planted a little late, never mind, the little leaves can be eaten in a salad instead.



If you really want to save money, stop looking for Heinz beans, buy the dried beans, make your own tomato sauce, its really lovely and you will get 6 times the amount found in a tin (without preservatives)

englishman


Joined: 25/02/2012
Posts: 34

Message Posted:
14/03/2012 10:29

My weekly shop here is about 10% more,ofcourse it does depend on what you buy!but you properly save the 10% on petrol getting your food so all in all about the same.

Geejay


Joined: 18/04/2009
Posts: 475

Message Posted:
14/03/2012 14:28

UK products are bound to be dearer here than 'local' produce because of transport costs and duties. It's the same in any country.

To answer the question, one must compare like with like. Although, some UK food can be priced competitively here, it's judgemental and most of the time one buys what one wants anyway ! If not....make your own.... bread, pickled onions, piccalilli, chutney, marmalade, jams, curries, dips, soups etc. All to suit ones own individual taste and with recipe's available on the internet.

After all if you live here, you've got enough spare time haven't you ?

Redwine


Joined: 15/01/2009
Posts: 565

Message Posted:
14/03/2012 14:36

Does it really matter? You choose to live here so you pay what the prices are here - applies to wherever you live in the world

bigjuss


Joined: 09/09/2010
Posts: 221

Message Posted:
14/03/2012 15:26

some foods are more expensive here than in the uk.,some are far cheaper.its all about changing your eating habits and diet.

fish is far cheaper here,i paid 10tl for 2x sea bass from hurdeniz market,chopra is the same price....

buy eggs in large trays....8tl for 5 dozen.

fruit and veg is ridicoulously cheap....from ya belles,i got 3 full carrier bags yeasterday for 8tl.

buy a chicken,strip it....add veg and make 8 portions of curry........boil and simmer the carcass,add loadsa veg for and a bit of bisto for a delicious bulky soup....another hearty 8 portions....

tomatoes are dirt cheap......50 kurus a kilo...make your own bolognaise sauce,buy a kilo of mince,add lodsa veg,onions and mushrooms....i got 15 portions in me freezer....lovely! the list goes on......

if you wanna live cheap,its back to basics. good old home bulk cooking from scratch....like we used to do in the uk,before packet crap and ready meals dominated our diets.

i eat healthier and far cheaper than i do in the uk

slatnumber7


Joined: 25/08/2010
Posts: 299

Message Posted:
14/03/2012 15:30

Ditto Msg's 27 & 38



Add advocados, tomatoes, onions,garlic, aubergines and potatoes (half a dozen rows should be ready in a few days) all free of pesticide sprays and chemicals.



I'm not a frequent visitor to the UK but when I was there last year I did a few comparisons of prices at Tesco and I felt my weekly/monthly shop would be more expensive there.



I prefer to spend my money on this side when I can, however, why pay ridiculous prices for some items that are so much cheaper in the RoC? Tea, coffee, cereals, pet food and tinned stuff to name but a few.



Yes there is the cost of the RoC insurance to consider, roughly twenty five quid or seventy lira a month.

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
14/03/2012 16:08

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asparagus

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
14/03/2012 16:15

http://ontariowildflowers.com/main/species.php?id=119

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
14/03/2012 16:17

http://www.ask.com/wiki/Spinach#b

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
14/03/2012 16:22

http://www.kibrisabakis.com/tag/gomec-bitkisi

Redwine


Joined: 15/01/2009
Posts: 565

Message Posted:
14/03/2012 16:43

Only 25 euro a month so about 20£

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
14/03/2012 17:09

reyntj.

Tell us who your butcher is!

In fact recommendations for good butchers from anyone please...

slatnumber7


Joined: 25/08/2010
Posts: 299

Message Posted:
14/03/2012 17:10

yorguozlu Link in Msg 47 Gömeç steamed and fried in a little olive oil and garlic with a squeeze of lemon, beautiful and plenty of it around at the moment. Have you got a link with a picture of it so's others know what to pick and how to prepare it please?



redwhine as ever, I was speaking personally mine's as I posted 30 Euros p.m.

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
14/03/2012 17:25

http://www.kanserdesifresi.com/eng/Sifali-Bitkiler/Ebe-Gomeci-Sifali-Bitkiler.php



picture for wild mallow/gomec,along with what it's used/good for.

chriswife


Joined: 30/03/2011
Posts: 449

Message Posted:
14/03/2012 17:26

swings and roundabouts on some cheaper some not if you are a veggıe alky you are laughıng

northcyprus74


Joined: 11/01/2012
Posts: 275

Message Posted:
14/03/2012 18:41

The UK is always going to be cheaper, its simple economics..... demand and supple as well as the aggressive marketing you have amongst each other.



here you have limited demand for certain products, you also have limited resources.... Electricity is far more expensive here then the UK and petrol prices are very similar....



do the maths yourself, an island unrecognized by anyone with a population of a maximum of 400,000 and on the other hand you have the UK 60 million plus!!! who would be cheaper?

brother



Joined: 29/01/2010
Posts: 446

Message Posted:
14/03/2012 22:28

Msg.47;Yorg. Funny how I remember my mum frying Gomec with eggs - and I loved it so much but I never ever saw or heard of making dolma with it.



There is also another kind of "ot" that people fry with eggs in the spring but I cannot remember its name. I will have to ask mum........All I remember is that it is very short-lived.

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
15/03/2012 08:11

funny you should say that 'brother',as I've never heard of it either.I had put the link up for simple fact that that's all I could find find picture of it.



try frying gomec and lapsana together with some eggs............simply beautiful

reyntj


Joined: 26/01/2011
Posts: 229

Message Posted:
15/03/2012 10:00

groucho my butcher is in iskele so probably not in your neck of the woods i dont even know the name but its next to the garage in the centre by the roundabout if you are evere there it was recommended to me for the fillet steak and they were not wrong . when i lived in kyrenia i tried 5 different butchers for fillet steak and was always disappointed

halffull


Joined: 26/01/2009
Posts: 571

Message Posted:
15/03/2012 10:24

If you want to eat "English" with your "british" labels and frozen products then it is more expensive to shop here, but if you adapt to local foods and eating then it is cheaper to live here.

But as has been said, if you want to live here then you have to accept that if you want to be an english person abroad you pay the price if you want to intregate then it will save you money.

I know I can live comfortably here but would struggle to survive in UK, taking into account all outgoings .

brother



Joined: 29/01/2010
Posts: 446

Message Posted:
15/03/2012 10:53

Yes Yorg that is it! Lapsana. Thanks, I will see if it is available next time I'm there.



I would laso love to find the English/scientific name for it.......anyone?



I know that Gomec (Mallow) is not exactly the same as the Mallow found in the UK. The other tking is that there is always a risk in picking anything "below Alsation height".....if you see what I mean

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
15/03/2012 15:02

brother



Would it be 'wild rape'?I say this because I used to pull up by rape fields,when I was in uk,with some bread and olives and munch into them............hmmmmmmmm .....lovely jubbly





will try to fing out if there is another name for them.

brother



Joined: 29/01/2010
Posts: 446

Message Posted:
20/03/2012 00:54

Well I wouldn't advise touching any commercially grown crops (apart from the legal standpoint) as my herbicide tolerance is quite low

Dillon


Joined: 05/02/2012
Posts: 134

Message Posted:
20/03/2012 05:02

Nipplewort, Wiki says ‘The young leaves are edible, and can be used in salads or cooked like spinach. The scientific name comes from Lapsane, an edible herb described by Marcus Terentius Varro of ancient Rome. The English name 'Nipplewort' derives from its closed flower buds, which resemble nipples. Because of its resemblance to nipples, under the doctrine of signatures it was once used as treatment for breast ulcers.'

http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Lapsana+communis

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
20/03/2012 08:39

reyntj

Ah, it was having Kyrenia in your profile that made me think your butcher might be closer... but, we travel far and wide and next time I'm near Iskele I will make a point of seeking him out...

pollymarples


Joined: 08/08/2010
Posts: 1778

Message Posted:
20/03/2012 10:14

More expensive on average, but shopping and cooking at home, depends on what you cook, can be cheaper. But when you compare minimum wages for the locals, it must be very hard for the locals here

and no state help.

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
20/03/2012 10:23

Dillon, I think I would prefer you nipplewort over this French delicacy.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phallus_impudicus

aussiejock



Joined: 06/10/2010
Posts: 350

Message Posted:
20/03/2012 16:25

Simbas Message 36

Looking at this site I wish we could this type of service and prices that you have in the UK, all your prices are 50% cheaper than we have here in Perth, and the selection is outstanding, sorry for going off topic but I couldn't believe how cheap it was to shop in the UK.



Robert