Food Price Changes in the Don Region: A Year-Over-Year Comparison

Over the past year in Rostov Oblast, beef and cheese have become noticeably more expensive. Conversely, prices for eggs and vegetables have decreased. The product costs were compared between December 2025 and December 2024, with data published by Rostovstat, the regional statistics agency.

In December 2024, a kilogram of beef, excluding boneless meat, cost 578 rubles (approximately $6 at current rates). In December 2025, it was 654 rubles (about $7). A kilogram of pork increased by an average of 39 rubles over the year—from 383 rubles (about $4) to 422 rubles (about $4). Chilled chickens rose from 208 rubles (about $2) to 226 rubles (about $2). The price per kilogram of dressed frozen fish, excluding salmon species, also increased—from 358 rubles (about $4) to 409 rubles (about $4).

A kilogram of bread made from rye flour or a mixture of rye and wheat flour increased from 82 to 92 rubles (both about $1). Bread made from wheat flour rose from 92 to 105 rubles (about $1). However, a dozen chicken eggs became cheaper—from 116 to 83 rubles (about $1 each). The price of sugar decreased from 69 to 63 rubles (about $1).

Butter increased by 30 rubles over the year—in December 2025 it cost 1075 rubles (about $11). The price per liter of milk rose from 85 to 93 rubles (about $1 each). A kilogram of cheese averaged 840 rubles (about $8) in December 2024, and by the end of 2025, it was 921 rubles (about $9).

As for vegetables, a kilogram of potatoes became cheaper from 57 to 48 rubles (about $1 each). Carrots—from 47 to 43 rubles (about $1 each). Cucumbers decreased by 70 rubles—by the end of 2025, they averaged 197 rubles per kilogram (about $2). The price of tomatoes fell from 228 to 192 rubles (about $2 to $3). White cabbage became cheaper from 47 to 35 rubles (about $1 to less than $1).

A kilogram of apples increased from 114 to 126 rubles (about $1 each). Oranges, on the contrary, became cheaper—from 201 to 164 rubles (about $2 each). The price of bananas also slightly decreased—by 3 rubles. In December 2025, they averaged 164 rubles (about $2).

The situation with cereals is more stable. Semolina became cheaper by one ruble—to 56 rubles per kilogram (about $1). Buckwheat, on the contrary, increased by one ruble—to 62 rubles (about $1). The price of millet decreased from 52 to 47 rubles (about $1 each). However, rice became cheaper from 107 to 84 rubles (about $1 each).

According to expert forecasts, in 2026, the most noticeable price increases will be for goods with complex packaging—for example, bottled water and yogurts. Prices will also rise for imported goods.