Coffee Price Surge Makes It a Luxury in St. Petersburg

Statistics recorded a moderate increase in food prices, but the personal expenses of many St. Petersburg residents rose much more sharply due to the sharp rise in coffee prices.

Feb 24, 2026

A visual representation of shopping in St. Petersburg amid rising food and coffee prices.
Source:
Pavel Bednyakov / AP / TASS

Petrostat published data on food inflation for 2025. According to the agency, in December, food prices were 3.19% higher than in December 2024.

Official statistics agency reports a 3.19% increase in food prices over the past year.
Source:
Petrostat

However, analysis conducted by the publication Fontanka showed that for many residents of St. Petersburg, personal inflation was significantly higher — over 9%. The main contributor to this increase was the rise in coffee prices.

Data highlights the contrast between moderate official inflation and higher personal expenditure growth.
Source:
Petrostat

Official Statistics

Media outlet«s analysis finds personal inflation exceeding 9% for St. Petersburg residents due to coffee.
Source:
Fontanka.ru

Overall inflation for the year, according to the Central Bank of Russia, was 5.6%. Meanwhile, food price statistics from Petrostat indicate a more moderate increase — 3.19%. For consumers, even a price increase of less than 10% is often perceived as significant.

Price comparison shows coffee becoming 50% more expensive, driving overall grocery basket costs up.
Source:
Fontanka.ru

According to official data, some goods became cheaper over the year, which may seem unexpected, but statistics confirm this.

Example of shrinkflation observed with reduced package size for a type of cream cheese.
Source:
Fontanka.ru

Personal Expenses of St. Petersburg Residents

Expert analysis links household spending increases to specific product categories like fast-moving consumer goods.
Source:
Fontanka.ru

Fontanka compared prices for the same goods in one of the federal retail chains in St. Petersburg for January and December 2025. The calculation was based on actual receipts, taking into account all discounts and promotions.

The total cost of the grocery basket increased by 9%, but if coffee is excluded, the increase was only 2.04%. Grain-roasted coffee became 50% more expensive, reaching a price of 1,300 rubles per kilogram (approximately $14 at current rates).

An example of shrinkflation was recorded: one type of cream cheese not only increased in price by 2.5%, but also decreased in weight from 400 to 350 grams.

Among products that significantly increased in price:

coffee — increase of 50%
minced pork and beef — 25%
pollock — 27.5%
chicken wings — 36.6%
milk — 11%

At the same time, many goods became cheaper:

chicken thighs — decrease of 2%
boiled sausage — 13%
cream cheese — 15%
Vienna sausages — 9.13%
pasta — 5.44%

Price Dynamics Over a Month

Comparison of prices in another retail chain for December 2025 and January 2026 showed sharp changes for individual items.

Significantly increased in price:

ultra-pasteurized milk — up 23.7%, to 209 rubles (about $2.30)
pasta — up 34%, to 134 rubles per pack (about $1.50)
mayonnaise — up 52%, to 257 rubles per package (about $2.80)

Meanwhile, became cheaper:

yogurt — down 30.65%, to 74.9 rubles per package (about $0.80)
dumplings — down 20%, to 279 rubles per pack (about $3.10)
granulated sugar — down 10%, to 53.9 rubles per kilogram (about $0.60)

These fluctuations are largely related to local promotions and discounts, so when searching for alternatives, more advantageous options can be found.

Expert Opinion

The research holding ROMIR published data on household expenses. According to the report, the monthly spending of an average family on fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) increased by 10.6% over the year. In December 2024, it was 42,400 rubles, and in December 2025 — already 51,300 rubles. Food accounted for 56% of this amount.

Analysts note that inflation data from the Central Bank of Russia corresponds to the overall picture. Dmitry Tortev, a member of the expert council of the State Duma Committee on Competition Protection, explained: «If overall inflation is almost 6%, and Petrostat data is 3.2%, then when added together, we get exactly 9% price growth for the FMCG category. And this is the very dynamics that ROMIR is talking about.»