Prices for a specific Russian crop have surged by approximately 25%.
In a significant development for Russian households, the cost of preparing the beloved cold soup, okroshka, has risen sharply. According to a report by "Novyi Den" from RIA, a family of four will need to spend around 537 rubles to prepare this traditional dish in the summer of 2025. This price represents a 25% increase from the previous year, when the same serving for a family cost 434 rubles.
Analysts from one of the federal companies operating in the agricultural product market cited by RIA Novosti revealed that a single serving of okroshka will now set consumers back by 134 rubles. In April of the current year, the cost to prepare okroshka for a family of four reached 718 rubles, according to data from the company "Check Index."
It is essential to note that okroshka is a staple in Russian cuisine, typically made with ingredients such as kvass or kefir, chopped vegetables, boiled potatoes, eggs, and cooked meats like ham or veal. While the exact cost of okroshka in specific establishments was not detailed in the report, it is common knowledge that the price of dining out in major cities like Moscow can be more expensive compared to rural areas, due to rising urbanization and service costs.
Furthermore, factors contributing to the price increase of okroshka over time in Russia include inflation, cost rises of food ingredients, changes in agricultural production costs, and supply chain dynamics influenced by geopolitical impacts. Historically, okroshka was a simple, affordable dish made from seasonal produce and leftover meats, but consumer preferences have shifted towards higher-quality or restaurant-prepared versions over time.
While precise cost data for okroshka preparation has not been extensively documented, its price increase reflects broader economic, agricultural, and market factors in Russia. For more specific historical and current price figures, examination of Russian culinary market reports or supermarket pricing data may be necessary.
The sharp increase in the cost of preparing traditional okroshka soup in Russia, specifically 537 rubles for a family of four in 2025, is a reflection of broader economic and market factors in the industry, particularly inflation, rising food-and-drink costs, and geopolitical impacts. As a result, the once-affordable dish, made with ingredients like kvass or kefir, vegetables, potatoes, eggs, and meats, has become a more expensive lifestyle choice, with dining out in cities like Moscow often costing even more due to urbanization and service costs.
