A noticeable 30% rise in the price of so-called “borscht set” products in Ukraine was observed and reported on Ukrainian television by The Fifth channel. The report underscored how this bundle, which encompasses the essential ingredients commonly used to prepare borscht, has grown pricier in recent months and highlighted its impact on household budgets across the country.
According to the State Statistics Service, the cost of basic goods has climbed by about 30% compared with January 2022. This figure reflects a broad shift in consumer prices, driven in part by changes in supply chains, energy costs, and market dynamics that affect everyday staples. Analysts point out that while some vegetables see only modest shifts, others experience more pronounced price movement that ripples through family meals and grocery bills.
Among the vegetables, cabbage, beets, and potatoes have not shown consistent price inflation in the latest data, but carrots have surged. A kilogram of carrots, once around 14 hryvnia, has risen to about 25 hryvnia. This sharp uptick illustrates how even familiar staples can swing quickly in response to input costs and seasonal factors. Meanwhile, meat prices carry their own upward pressure, with pork costs rising from roughly 123 hryvnia per kilogram to around 168 hryvnia, signaling a broader trend in animal protein markets.
Denis Marchuk, heading the All-Ukrainian Agricultural Council, explained on the same broadcast that the selling price of vegetables is influenced by electricity costs. He noted that electricity can add roughly 10–15% to production costs, which translates into higher consumer prices and a noticeable jump in food expenses overall. The report highlighted a 30–35% increase in prices across Ukraine, reflecting a combination of inputs, logistics, and utility costs that affect the food sector.
Historical data from October 2022 shows a peak in the cost of salted bacon observed in Ukraine since 2017. Data released indicated that on October 1, the national product in stores carried a price of 258.7 hryvnia per kilogram, roughly 429 rubles. The same source noted a rise in the price of lard since September by about 37.09 hryvnia, while homemade lard climbed to 199 hryvnia per kilogram, near 330 rubles. These figures illustrate how processed and traditional meat products can display volatile price movements, influenced by supply conditions, production costs, and market demand.