The Greek Competition Commission is conducting a competition mapping exercise in the feta cheese market, analyzing market conditions in relation to 11 major supermarkets. Feta cheese accounts for 2% of total sales in these supermarkets.

The objectives of the mapping include evaluating market shares of supermarkets, supplier shares, the impact of the Consumer Basket on prices, and consumer purchasing habits within and outside the Consumer Basket.

Questionnaires were sent to the 11 supermarkets representing over 95% of the food retail sector, covering data from February 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024.

In 2023, feta cheese sales in the supermarkets amounted to €244.1 million, with an annual increase of 13.8%. However, sales growth decreased to 3% in the first half of 2024.

Approximately 150 feta cheese suppliers were identified, with the top 13 suppliers representing 70% of total feta sales. The market concentration for feta supply is low, with CR3 at 39% and an HHI index at 652.

Consumer preferences lean towards branded feta cheese products, accounting for 80% of total sales, but there is a shift towards private label products observed during the reporting period. The Consumer Basket seems to have limited influence on consumer preferences.