Up to 85 hryvnias per kilogram: which vegetable has become the most expensive in supermarkets.

Prices for the main vegetables used for borscht have risen in Ukrainian supermarkets.

According to the Ministry of Finance, as of January 6, 2025, the average price of potatoes in retail chains was 34.70 hryvnias per kilogram.

The highest price for potatoes is fixed in Megamarket - 40.50 UAH/kg, at Auchan they can be purchased for 28.90 UAH/kg. Young potatoes cost on average 41.90 UAH/kg, and pink ones - 35.90 UAH/kg.

Prices for cabbage have also increased. The average price for young cabbage in the chains is 72.57 UAH/kg. The most expensive vegetable is in Megamarket - 84.90 UAH/kg, the most affordable is in Novus - 59.90 UAH/kg. White cabbage costs on average 44.25 UAH/kg.

The price of carrots has moderately increased. The average price of carrots in supermarkets is 32.63 UAH/kg. The price ranges from 25.80 UAH/kg in Metro to 38.90 UAH/kg in Megamarket.

Experts predict an increase in vegetable prices in 2025 by 30-50%. Economist Oleg Penzin states that food prices will increase on average by 9.5%, but vegetables for borscht may rise even more due to their sensitivity to weather conditions. Abnormal heat in the summer of 2024 seriously affected the yields of vegetable crops. In some regions, soil temperatures in the sun reached over +60 degrees, which led to a decrease in yield.

The National Bank predicts a peak in inflation in the spring of 2025 due to these events. The regulator expects an improvement in the yield of agricultural crops and a weakening of the impact on prices. It should be noted that 44% of Ukrainians spend the majority of their money on food, which may lead to an even faster rise in prices for cheap products such as potatoes and other borscht vegetables.