Cucumber Drops Most, Beef Rises Most in Samara

How expensive everything has become! Admit it: how many times have you already said that phrase in the new year? That includes when looking at food products. But it turns out prices haven«t risen on everything. We compared reports from Samara State Statistics Service for the first days of 2026 and the same period in 2025 — and figured out which products rose the most in price over the year and which became cheaper. We also found out what will happen to prices next.

No Meat in Sight: What Rose the Most

Prices rose the most over 12 months at retail outlets in the region for beef. A kilogram of this meat became 125 rubles more expensive: was 563.09 rubles ($6 at current rates) — became 688.99 ($8 at current rates). Lamb (excluding boneless meat) also rose. According to Samara State Statistics Service, up 74.4 rubles: was 778.35 ($9 at current rates) — became 852.84 ($9 at current rates).

Black leaf tea became 70 rubles more expensive. At the beginning of 2025 the price per kilogram was 1,075 rubles, became 1,141 rubles ($13 at current rates, up from $12). The price of frozen ungutted fish rose by 52 rubles. The average price per kilogram was 239.72 rubles ($3 at current rates) — became 291.85 ($3 at current rates). Cheeses rose by the same amount: was an average of 788.74 rubles per kilo ($9 at current rates), became 841.01 ($9 at current rates).

Sour cream entered the top ten products that rose the most over the year. According to Samara State Statistics Service, the price tag added 41 rubles (less than $1 at current rates): was 308.74 rubles ($3 at current rates), became 349.73 ($4 at current rates) per kilogram. Cottage cheese became 38 rubles more expensive for shoppers: was 405.31 rubles ($5 at current rates), became 443.31 ($5 at current rates) per kilogram.

Sausages rose by almost the same amount: was 608.5 rubles ($7 at current rates), became 646.41 ($7 at current rates) per kg. Prices for frankfurters and small sausages rose by 32 rubles (less than $1 at current rates): was 493.09 ($5 at current rates), became 525.14 ($6 at current rates) per kg. Margarine rose by 29 rubles (less than $1): was 232.72 rubles ($3 at current rates), became 263.85 ($3 at current rates) per kilogram.

The infographic shows the five products that rose the most from early January 2025 to early January 2026.

Cabbage Soup and Porridge: What Dropped the Most

But it is not all bad. There are products whose prices, according to Samara State Statistics Service, decreased over the year. Leading the ranking are fresh cucumbers. Over 12 months, a kilogram of these vegetables became cheaper by 33 rubles (less than $1 at current rates): was 270.17 ($3 at current rates), became 237.49 ($3 at current rates). Chicken eggs dropped by 27 rubles (less than $1): was 100.03 ($1 at current rates), became 73.21 ($1 at current rates) rubles.

Fans of cabbage soup can also rejoice. White cabbage now costs 13 rubles less (less than $1): was 43.82 (less than $1), became 30.17 (less than $1). Potatoes — down by 12 rubles (less than $1): was 49.55 ($1 at current rates), became 37.19 (less than $1) per kg.

Polished rice fell by 11 rubles (less than $1): was 112.36 ($1 at current rates), became 101.09 ($1 at current rates).

Onions now cost 9 rubles less (less than $1): was 45.48 ($1 at current rates), became 36.81 (less than $1).

The price of granulated sugar decreased by 8 rubles (less than $1): was 70.62 ($1 at current rates), became 62.97 ($1 at current rates).

Beets — down by 6 rubles (less than $1): was 40.69 (less than $1), became 34.14 (less than $1).

Fresh tomatoes — also down by 6 rubles (less than $1): was 227.98 ($3 at current rates), became 221.49 ($2 at current rates).

The infographic shows the five products that decreased the most over the year.

What Will Happen to Prices in the First Half of 2026?

We contacted the investment company Finam and asked them to forecast what will happen to prices in the Samara region over the next six months. We publish a comment from Yaroslav Kabakov, Director of Strategy at Finam:

«In the first half of 2026, prices in the Samara region are expected to continue rising close to the Bank of Russia«s target levels. The main factors putting pressure on prices: the increase of VAT to 22% from the beginning of the year, rising logistics and production costs, and seasonal fluctuations in prices for fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. A pace above the target may be shown by milk, bakery products, apples, and cottage cheese, moderate growth is expected for butter, sour cream, sugar, chicken, and buckwheat, while pasta and eggs may show a pace below target values. This dynamics is explained by a combination of federal inflation factors, tax changes, and regional supply and demand characteristics, while the overall inflation trend in the region should gradually slow down by mid-year.»