Food price changes in Samara region: top increases and decreases

Everything has gotten so expensive! Admit it, how many times have you said that phrase this new year? Especially when looking at food prices. But it turns out that prices haven«t soared for everything. We compared reports from SamaraStat for the early days of 2026 and the same period in 2025 — and found out which products saw the biggest price increases over the year, and which became cheaper. We also learned what will happen with prices going forward.

Meat prices soar: what increased the most in cost

Beef saw the largest price hike over 12 months in the region«s retail outlets. A kilogram of this meat now costs 125 rubles more: it was 563.09 rubles (approximately $6) — now 688.99 rubles (approximately $7) at current exchange rates. Lamb (except boneless meat) also became more expensive. Here, according to SamaraStat reports, there»s an increase of 74.4 rubles: it was 778.35 rubles — now 852.84 rubles.

Black baikhov tea became 70 rubles more expensive. In early 2025, the price per kilogram was 1075 rubles, now it«s 1141 rubles. The price for frozen whole fish rose by 52 rubles. The average price per kilogram was 239.72 rubles, now it»s 291.85 rubles. Cheeses became more expensive by the same amount: the average was 788.74 rubles per kilo, now it«s 841.01 rubles.

Sour cream made it into the top ten products that increased most in price over the year. According to SamaraStat data, the price added 41 rubles: it was 308.74 rubles, now 349.73 rubles per kilogram. Cottage cheese became 38 rubles more expensive for buyers: it was 405.31 rubles, now 443.31 rubles per kilogram.

Sausage became almost as much more expensive: it was 608.5 rubles, now 646.41 rubles per kg. Prices for sausages and frankfurters rose by 32 rubles: it was 493.09 rubles, now 525.14 rubles per kg. Margarine became 29 rubles more expensive: it was 232.72 rubles, now 263.85 rubles per kilogram.

In the infographic, we showed which five products saw the biggest price increases from early January 2025 to early January 2026.

Cabbage soup and porridge — our sustenance: what decreased the most in price

But not all is bad. There are products whose prices, according to SamaraStat reports, decreased over the year. Fresh cucumbers top the ranking. Over 12 months, a kilogram of these vegetables started costing 33 rubles less: it was 270.17 rubles, now 237.49 rubles. Chicken eggs became 27 rubles cheaper: it was 100.03 rubles, now 73.21 rubles.

Fans of shchi (cabbage soup) can rejoice. White cabbage now costs 13 rubles less: it was 43.82 rubles, now 30.17 rubles. Potatoes — by 12 rubles: it was 49.55 rubles, now 37.19 rubles per kg.

Polished rice became 11 rubles cheaper: it was 112.36 rubles, now 101.09 rubles.

Onions now cost 9 rubles less: it was 45.48 rubles, now 36.81 rubles.

The price for granulated sugar decreased by 8 rubles: it was 70.62 rubles, now 62.97 rubles.

Beetroot — by 6 rubles: it was 40.69 rubles, now 34.14 rubles.

Fresh tomatoes — also by 6 rubles: it was 227.98 rubles, now 221.49 rubles.

In the infographic, we showed which five products saw the biggest price decreases over the year.

What will happen with prices in the first half of 2026?

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

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