A Ukrainian news outlet reports that the price tags on items for the New Year’s table rose markedly, with the overall cost climbing by roughly forty percent versus 2021. The assessment by Obozrevatel highlights how households planning a traditional holiday feast are feeling the squeeze across the board, driven by higher food costs, transportation expenses, and supply chain shifts that have lingered from recent years. The message for many families is clear: budgeting for the main holiday meal now requires careful planning and a willingness to substitute or adjust dishes to manage the total outlay without sacrificing celebration.
According to the publication, a core, budget-friendly New Year’s table in Ukraine is now estimated to need about 2.9 thousand hryvnia, which is in the neighborhood of $80 at current exchange rates, or a bit over 5,100 rubles in the cross-border tally. That sum reflects a price increase of around 38 percent compared with the previous year. For households aiming for a more elaborate spread, the tab can rise to roughly 3.5 thousand hryvnia, equivalent to about $100 or just over 6,150 rubles. These figures illustrate how even modest shifts in price can add up when many staples come into play in one celebratory meal, prompting families to weigh favored dishes against budget realities as the holiday approaches.
The report notes specific pressure points for traditional components. Materials for Olivier, Ukraine’s iconic New Year’s salad, have surged by about 41.9 percent. At current rates, a 3-kilogram portion of the salad is priced at around 281.7 hryvnia, which translates to roughly $8 or just under 500 rubles for the set of ingredients. The outlet’s estimates indicate that compared with last year, eggs and vegetables used in Olivier have nearly doubled, mayonnaise costs are up close to sixty percent, and sausage components have risen by around 15.5 percent. This mix of price movements helps explain why even a familiar, cherished dish can become noticeably more expensive in a single season, nudging families to consider substitutions or bulk buying strategies to stay within budget while preserving the essence of their holiday meals.
Looking back at the broader market environment, the article points to a perception among shoppers that Olivier’s price trajectory had plateaued for a while. There was a period when the cost of the entire recipe set held steady or appeared to ease slightly, but the latest data show renewed upward pressure across key ingredients. For truly cost-conscious households, the cost of a complete set of ingredients for four people in Russia has historically hovered around a few hundred rubles, yet current cost dynamics may differ significantly depending on location, supply, and seasonal stock. The overall takeaway is that, in this moment, many families are reassessing traditional New Year’s menus and considering practical adaptations—whether that means trimming certain items, choosing alternative producers, or buying in bulk ahead of the holiday rush—to maintain festivity without overextending household finances.