Russians Report Sharp Food Price Rise After New Year
After the New Year, Russians are posting videos on social media where they are horrified by prices in stores. Some are jokingly catching pigeons, while others are seriously crying. MSK1.RU found out how much food prices have actually risen in January and whether we will have to save even more.
Vodka Prices Rising Fastest
The Cenosaur price monitoring service told MSK1.RU that vodka has risen the most since the start of the year. Now a half-liter bottle costs from 494 to 690 rubles (approximately $5 to $7 at current rates).
From January 1 to 21, «Belaya Bereza» increased in price by 8.5%, with the average price of a 0.5-liter bottle at 689.5 rubles (approx. $7). «Belenkaya» rose by 4.4% to 478.1 rubles (approx. $5); «Pyat Ozer» by 5.3% to 494 rubles (approx. $5); «Husky» by 7.7% to 543.6 rubles (approx. $5); and «Horta» by 4% to 519 rubles (approx. $5). «Talka» unexpectedly fell by 0.4% to 505.1 rubles (approx. $5).
According to analysts, the most popular products in stores are meat and dairy. Chicken and pork on average cost as before, 340.4 rubles and 477 rubles per kilogram (approx. $3 and $5). Beef rose by 0.6% to 1,098 rubles per kg (approx. $11), while turkey fell by 1.3% to 525 rubles per kg (approx. $5).
Average prices increased slightly for milk (by 1.1% to 92 rubles for 900 ml, approx. $1), sour cream (1.3% to 81.2 rubles for 200 g, approx. $1), butter (by 0.9% to 232.2 rubles for 180 g, approx. $2), and cheese (by 0.7% to 271.4 rubles for 200 g, approx. $3).
“There has been no explosive growth anywhere. Strangely enough, many goods have not changed in price or even become slightly cheaper,” a representative of Cenosaur commented.
Vegetables Also Getting More Expensive
Rosstat (Federal State Statistics Service) records that over the last week, vegetables and fruits have been rising in price most actively: from January 13 to 19, their cost increased by 2.7%. Cucumbers soared in price by 6%, tomatoes by 3.3%, and potatoes and carrots by 2.6%.
Alexei Krasilnikov, executive director of the Union of Potato and Vegetable Market Participants, reported that the situation was discussed on January 19 at a meeting with the participation of Deputy Agriculture Minister Maxim Borovoy.
“The agenda focused more on the situation with tomatoes and greenhouse cucumbers, while with potatoes and [other] vegetables the situation is relatively stable, with no threats,” the MSK1.RU source recounted.
According to him, vegetables have become more expensive due to additional strain on storage facilities in the cold, but no sharp price increases are expected further.
“We do not expect anything out of the ordinary,” Krasilnikov said.
Is VAT to Blame for Everything?
According to Rosstat data, which often differs from the real picture in stores, on average vodka has indeed become more expensive (from January 13 to 19 by 1.4%), margarine (by 1.3%), and lunches in canteens and cafes (by 0.7%). Overall consumer prices rose by 1.7% in January.
Oleg Buklemishev, director of the Center for Economic Policy Research at the Economics Faculty of Moscow State University (MSU), in a conversation with MSK1.RU advised not to rely on weekly indicators.
“The New Year is a milestone when prices are revised, especially since the value-added tax was also increased. In short periods, specific goods should be measured, while Rosstat calculates based on broad product groups sufficiently. The price can be one in one region, another in another,” the expert said.
As for VAT, according to analysts, its increase provoked only a one-time jump in prices, and there should be no new ones. However, it is difficult to rejoice at this, as the tax could well be raised again.
“This is the biggest tax. If there is not enough money, what will they grab? VAT, that«s clear. But for now it has only been increased, and to immediately raise it again—that doesn»t happen, we need to wait,” Buklemishev stated.
What Else Is Getting More Expensive
Coffee has been rising in price for three years, and its prices are hitting anti-records in 2026 as well. We have nothing to cheer lovers of the invigorating drink: apparently, they face a «stepwise» and cautious, but still, price increase.
“The era of cheap coffee is over. We are entering a «plateau» phase with moderate volatility, where the price will be determined by currency, competition, and consumer habits. The main restraining factor now is consumers« unwillingness to pay more,” Anna Belikova, SEO of the coffee brand Elbeans, told MSK1.RU.
You can save on grocery shopping in three ways: plan your menu around price-stable products, track the seasonality of vegetables, and use cashback programs. If you have bad habits, we have nothing to advise. In the country, excise taxes on alcohol and cigarettes have been increased, and consumers will definitely feel it.
