New Year under price pressure: forecast of price changes for meat, fish, fruits and vegetables

At the end of the year, Ukrainians actively buy holiday products, which leads to a seasonal increase in market demand. This, in turn, leads to higher prices for basic goods.

Economist Volodymyr Chyzh comments on how food prices will change before the holidays.

Meat prices – what to expect

The increase in meat demand in December is standard so that prices may rise by 5-10%. Chyzh notes that consumers will not notice sharp price fluctuations, but a short-term price increase will still occur. The most significant price increase is predicted for pork – up to 10%, since it is more often bought for holiday dishes.

Chicken, on the contrary, will remain relatively stable because producers can respond quickly to seasonal changes. As for beef, a moderate increase of 3-6% is expected due to a gradual rise in demand.

Demand for sausages, ham, and other delicacies also increases on the eve of the holidays. Chyzh predicts that in December the cost of such products may increase by 8-12%, especially in the mid-range and premium segments. Budget options will see a slight price increase.

Changes in fish prices

Imported fish will become significantly more expensive. According to expert estimates, the prices of salmon, trout, and mackerel may increase by 10-15% due to high holiday demand and reliance on imports. Ukrainian fish, such as carp and silver carp, will increase in price by about 5%, mostly closer to Christmas.

Fruits will go up in price.

Fruits, mainly imported ones, also traditionally become more expensive in December. Prices for oranges, tangerines, and lemons are expected to increase by 10-15%. At the same time, Ukrainian fruits will increase in price less noticeably:

apples and pears – by 3-5%, depending on storage conditions;
Bananas may increase in price by 5-8% due to exchange rate fluctuations.
Chyzh emphasized that vegetables remain the most stable in price. Onions, carrots, beets, and other components of the “borscht set” usually do not undergo significant changes, since they are prepared in advance and stored in large volumes.