This year’s Christmas dinner will cost 10 percent more than it did last year, according to consumer groups.

The rise in cost is mostly due to higher prices of dairy and cereal products which have in turn increased the prices of basic food items such as bread, cheese and pasta, according to the consumer groups.

Meat prices are relatively stable, mostly unchanged from last year.

Goverment officials have stepped up inspections of food markets across Greece in a bid to catch offenders, including those who store food in unsuitable conditions and businesses that have applied unjustifiable price hikes.

Sources said retailers are expected to pass on the next cycle of price increases early in the coming year, particularly with regard to food items.