In 2022, dried bay leaf emerged as a notable condiment in Russia, ranking third in popularity. Across major retail networks Pyaterochka and Perekrestok, shoppers bought more than 15.5 million packages, a figure highlighted by a study shared with socialbites.ca. Pepper claimed the top spot with over 34 million units sold, while chicken and meat seasonings reached more than 23.3 million in sales.
The list of favored seasonings extends beyond these leaders. Paprika, breaded mixes, borscht dressings, and hops-suneli spice mix each played a significant role in kitchens across the country. regional tastes clearly shape demand, with turmeric translating to strong sales in the Kurgan region (around 11,000 units) and a Bolognese sauce mix leading the charts in Kaliningrad (over 10,000 units). Meanwhile, residents of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug showed a preference for sea kale based spice blends, purchasing more than 10,000 items.
Overall, consumers in Russia purchased more than 290 million spices and seasonings over the year. The study notes that revenue shares from spices vary by region, with the Siberian and Ural Federal Districts contributing nearly 3 percent of spice-related revenue. In contrast, southern regions were a bit more selective, adding spices to baskets in about 2 percent of transactions. The data comes from a study conducted across 67 Russian regions by experts affiliated with the X5 Club loyalty program.
Earlier reports discussed a controversial claim about a salad featuring fish from Russia being rated among the worst dishes globally. This article presents regional demand patterns and overall market size, offering a clearer picture of how spice preferences shape retail outcomes in the country.