By the end of the year, food prices in Ukraine will rise sharply: what exactly.

According to inkorr.com: In Ukraine, by the end of the year, a price increase on a number of popular products is expected. Analysts believe that inflation, logistics issues, energy resource costs, and currency fluctuations contribute to this. The biggest price increases are forecasted closer to the winter holidays when demand for seasonal goods traditionally rises. This is reported by

writes RBC-Ukraine.

Factors affecting prices

According to Maksym Hopka, an analyst at the Ukrainian Agrarian Business Club, several factors simultaneously affect the market. For perishable goods, logistics plays a crucial role, while for vegetables, storage costs are critically important. Regarding imports, their cost depends on the currency exchange rate and the situation in supplier countries. Prices may fluctuate depending on the region, but the difference is not significant.

The expert noted that where the harvest is larger, prices will be slightly lower. However, this is less noticeable in the dairy and meat sectors, as their prices are determined by the retail market. According to him, seasonal vegetables will increase in price first, as they are currently being sold with minimal markups. At the end of the year, an increase in dairy product prices is also possible due to reduced milk yields, and before the holidays — meat products due to increased demand.

Products that may rise in price before Christmas

According to analysts' forecasts, prices may rise by the end of the year for:

• potatoes — currently 10-12 UAH/kg

• onions — 7-13 UAH/kg

• tomatoes — 90-100 UAH/kg

• cucumbers — 90-110 UAH/kg

• meat: beef 350-400 UAH/kg, pork 260-350 UAH/kg, fillet 230-245 UAH/kg

• milk 52-60 UAH/900 ml, sour cream 48-55 UAH/350 g, butter 100-120 UAH/200 g

• eggs — 73.5-77.5 UAH/dozen

• apples — 20-30 UAH/kg

Cabbage, carrots, and beets are expected to remain relatively stable, as long as there are harvest stocks.

“If there are no storage problems,” — emphasized Hopka.

Economists hope for more accurate forecasts in mid-November but advise being prepared for the traditional pre-holiday price increase.

The rise in food prices in Ukraine is a seasonal phenomenon that can, in some cases, be accompanied by a reduction in production volumes, which in turn raises concerns among consumers. Unwanted price increases for many can also be exacerbated by external factors, so it is advisable to monitor the situation as the New Year holidays approach.