The Cost of the Grocery Basket in Ukraine Has Increased: Which Products Have Become Most Expensive

Over the past year, the cost of the Ukrainian consumer basket has significantly increased, showing a varied price dynamic for essential food products. The largest jump was recorded for meat and fish – in some categories, prices increased by up to 80 hryvnias. Meanwhile, carp saw the smallest increase, rising by only 12 hryvnias. Bread prices rose by 10 hryvnias, with sliced wheat bread experiencing the highest increase.

This is reported by AgroReview

Dairy Products and Eggs: Record Price Increases

Among dairy products, cheese led in price increases – over the year, its price rose by more than 50 hryvnias. Cream also saw a noticeable increase in value, while milk and sour cream rose by about 3 hryvnias. Eggs increased in price by approximately 15 hryvnias over the year, and in the fall, the price for a dozen reached a record 100 hryvnias.

“The intervention of the Antimonopoly Committee forced the market to behave more cautiously. The regulator warned of increased control over pricing, and prices began to slowly decrease.”

Shortage of Lard Affects Prices

Experts explain the rise in lard prices by several factors. Ukraine has lost about 40% of its pig population in recent years, leading to a serious shortage in the domestic market. For private farms, raising pigs has become economically unviable due to rising costs. The live weight of pigs is currently valued at 100 hryvnias per kilogram, plus costs for fuel, veterinary certificates, infection codes, and taxes. All these factors make pig farming a low-profit and risky business for small producers.

Seasonal Price Increases Ahead of Holidays

Economists predict a moderate seasonal price increase in December. In particular, imported delicacies may rise by 8-12%, especially in the medium and premium segments. Traditionally, citrus fruits increase in price by 10-15%, while Ukrainian apples and pears only add 3-5%. Ahead of the holidays, supermarkets offer discounts to attract customers; however, pre-holiday demand still pushes prices of the most popular goods upward. After the holidays, a decrease in prices for many food products is expected within the range of 10-30%.

Note: The consumer basket is a basic set of goods and services necessary to meet a person’s minimum needs. Its cost is used to calculate the minimum subsistence level, which affects the size of the minimum wage, pensions, and social benefits.