Deputy Prime Minister Victoria Abramchenko spoke in a recent interview about how household spending for the Russian New Year table rose by about 8 percent over the year. The increase was driven by a combination of staple items including tangerines, chicken, eggs, and champagne, all of which saw higher average prices as the holiday season approached.
Abramchenko noted that industry associations and business groups helped estimate the overall cost of the New Year’s table, reflecting a broad consensus on what families typically purchase for celebration and meals during this period.
On beverages and delicacies, the Deputy Prime Minister mentioned that the price of domestic sparkling wine rose by no more than 5 percent. Even wholesale prices for caviar showed a softer trajectory, in some cases declining relative to the previous year. This shift was attributed to the successful salmon run, which helped stabilize or reduce some seafood prices seen at wholesale levels.
For instance, Chum salmon caviar proved notably cheaper at wholesale compared with last year, offering some relief to buyers in the market. Abramchenko highlighted that retail prices also began to retreat in certain segments as suppliers adjusted to demand patterns during the holidays.
Independent market analysts at Vyberu.ru surveyed about five thousand adults aged 18 to 60 and found that roughly 44 percent of respondents planned to allocate no more than 10 thousand rubles for New Year preparations. In another set of findings, more than a quarter of those surveyed anticipated spending over 50 thousand rubles on gifts for the festive period, reflecting a broad spread in consumer budgets and expectations.
Earlier surveys indicated notable buying trends among residents of major cities. For residents of Moscow and Saint Petersburg, the pre-holiday shopping list typically included items that households considered essential for celebrations, underscoring a mix of practical purchases and seasonal indulgences as the year closes.