The cost of a set of 12 lean dishes for the Christmas table in 2025 amounted to 913.57 UAH, which is 11% more than the previous year. The price change is related to various trends in the food market: despite a record drop in vegetable prices, the increase in the cost of fruits, fish, and groceries has led to an overall rise in expenses.
This is reported by Finway
Vegetable Deflation Significantly Affected Prices
Analysts emphasize that this year there is a phenomenon of “vegetable deflation” — due to a good harvest, the prices of key vegetables have significantly decreased. In particular, cabbage has dropped by 73%, carrots by 63%, onions by 58%, potatoes by 54%, and beets by 51%. This has allowed for substantial savings in preparing dishes such as cabbage dumplings (their price decreased by 47%), garlic potatoes (40% cheaper), and vinaigrette (down 18%). Lean borscht will also cost 18% less in 2025 than last year.
Price Increases for Kutia, Uzvar, Fish, and Dairy Products
At the same time, key symbols of the Christmas table — kutia and uzvar — have significantly increased in price.
“The kutia index has risen by 37%. This is due to the increase in the prices of all its components: nuts have risen by 60%, honey by 40%, and poppy seeds and raisins have added over 30%.”
The prices for uzvar ingredients have increased even more sharply: prunes have risen by 168%, dried pears by 140%, and apples by 110%. This has led to a 150% increase in the cost of uzvar.
Fish dishes have also become more expensive: herring has increased in price by 24%, and hake for baking by 25%. Sunflower oil, which is often used in lean dishes, has risen by 22% over the year, which also affects the overall cost of the festive table.
For those who do not observe fasting or are already preparing for the New Year celebration, meat prices have also increased. Roasted pork neck has risen by 7% and costs 330 UAH per kilogram. Lard has increased by 16% (272 UAH/kg), and meat borscht has risen by 27% (196 UAH), with over half of the cost comprising pork ribs. Chicken prices are strengthening due to the rising cost of feed, while stability in the pork market is ensured by imports.
Cheese platters will become one of the most expensive dishes on the New Year’s table — 700 UAH per kilogram (40% more than last year). Despite the decrease in the price of dairy raw materials on the wholesale market, prices for butter and cheese remain high due to energy resource costs. Chicken eggs, necessary for preparing Olivier salad, have risen by 10% and cost 81.6 UAH per dozen.