Famagusta residents report fewer shoppers at Thursday market

Residents quoted by Halkın Sesi have reported fewer shoppers at Famagusta’s Thursday open-air market, linking the change to rising fruit and vegetable prices and tighter household budgets.

The newspaper, citing comments collected by Ayaklı Gazete, said some residents believe open-air markets in major districts across North Cyprus are attracting fewer customers.

Those quoted said the Famagusta market had previously been crowded enough to make moving around difficult, but that shopper numbers had since fallen sharply. They attributed the reported decline to higher produce prices and lower disposable income.

Residents also said rising living costs were putting greater pressure on household spending, with salaries running out early in the month, according to the report.