**Cyprus Building Costs Rise Again in July**
In July, the prices of construction materials in Cyprus experienced another increase, as reported by the statistical service, Cystat. The construction material price index reached 123.00 units, using 2021 as the base year, which is set at 100. This marks a 0.23% rise from June and a more significant 3.33% increase compared to July of the previous year.
Throughout the first seven months of the year, construction material prices were 1.87% higher than during the same period in 2025. Among the various categories of construction materials, metallic products saw the most substantial annual increase, rising by 4.94%. The index for this category reached 111.81 units, despite a slight decrease of 0.08% from June. The average increase for metallic products during the January-to-July period was recorded at 2.23%.
Aluminium and other metal products reached an index of 124.43 units, with prices increasing by 0.11% in July. Year-on-year, these prices surged by 6.14%, and they were 4.43% higher than the average for the first seven months of the year. Conversely, iron and steel products experienced a minor decline of 0.18% from June, bringing their index to 106.24 units. However, prices for these products remained 4.32% higher than in July of the previous year and 1.13% above their average level during the January-to-July period of 2025.
The broader category of wood products, insulation materials, chemicals, and plastics also saw significant annual price increases, rising by 4.58%. This category reached an index of 125.78 units, reflecting a 0.49% increase from June and a 2.60% rise during the first seven months of the year. Within this group, plastic products recorded the most substantial annual increase, climbing to 132.48 units, with a monthly rise of 0.05%, a yearly increase of 6.58%, and a 4.94% rise over the January-to-July period.
Wood products reached an index of 127.80 units after a 0.71% increase from June, marking a 5.12% rise compared to the previous year and a 2.56% increase during the first seven months. Chemical products saw a slight increase of 0.16% in July, reaching 116.00 units, which was 2.80% higher than in July 2025 and 1.72% above their average level during the January-to-July period.
Insulation material prices remained stable from June at 118.68 units, although they were 1.16% higher than the previous year and 1.29% above their average for the corresponding seven-month period in 2025.
Electromechanical products also contributed to the overall increase, rising by 3.29% year-on-year, with their index reaching 118.89 units. This category experienced a 0.23% increase from June and a 2.69% rise over the first seven months of the year. Electrical fixtures, a significant component of this category, saw notable price increases, reaching 140.81 units after a monthly rise of 0.21%, a yearly increase of 6.61%, and a 5.40% rise during the January-to-July period.
In contrast, prices for heating and cooling equipment remained unchanged from June at 94.08 units, reflecting a 1.67% decrease compared to July 2025 and a 1.11% drop from their average level during the first seven months. Other electromechanical products recorded the highest monthly increase within the category, rising by 0.44% to 119.71 units, which was 3.22% more expensive than the previous year and 2.37% higher during the January-to-July period.
The minerals category reached 139.05 units, marking a 0.12% increase from June and a 2.51% rise year-on-year. Cement prices climbed to 144.23 units, the highest index level among the listed subcategories, following a 0.26% monthly increase, a 3.88% annual increase, and a 1.74% rise during the January-to-July period. Mineral aggregate prices remained stable from June at 138.78 units, although they increased by 1.56% annually and 2.86% during the first seven months. Stone prices also remained unchanged at 131.89 units, with a 1.30% annual increase and a 1.51% rise over the seven-month period.
The smallest annual increase among the main categories was seen in mineral products, which reached an index of 127.51 units, up 0.42% from June, 0.98% year-on-year, and 0.40% during the first seven months. Cement products rose to 127.96 units, with increases of 0.48% monthly, 1.20% annually, and 0.91% during the January-to-July period. Ceramics also saw a slight increase of 0.22% from June, reaching 125.99 units, although their average during the first seven months was 1.34% lower than a year earlier.
Overall, the continuing rise in construction material prices in Cyprus reflects ongoing inflationary pressures in the sector, with various categories experiencing significant price increases compared to previous years.