Christmas table 2025 becomes 11% more expensive: vegetables drop in price, while kutia and uzvar rise sharply.

According to ТСН: Despite the significant drop in vegetable prices, preparing the traditional 12 Lenten dishes for Christmas Eve 2025 will be more expensive for Ukrainians than last year. Overall, the costs for the festive table have risen by 11%.

According to the price monitoring by the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club (UAC), in December 2025, a set of 12 Lenten dishes costs on average 913.57 UAH, which is 11% more than last year. The UAC notes that food prices before the holidays have changed unevenly. The lower prices for vegetables have partially offset the rise in prices for other ingredients, but overall the cost has increased due to the rising prices for fruits, fish, and groceries.

Vegetable deflation and rising prices for other products

This season has seen what is called 'vegetable deflation'. Thanks to a high harvest, cabbage prices have decreased by 73%, carrots by 63%, onions by 58%, potatoes by 54%, and beets by 51%. This has allowed the prices of some dishes to decrease: dumplings with cabbage have become 47% cheaper, potatoes with garlic by 40%, vinaigrette by 18%, and Lenten borscht by 18%.

Rising prices for symbols of the holiday

However, the main components of the Christmas table have significantly increased in price. The kutia index has risen by 37% due to price increases for all ingredients: nuts have become more expensive by 60%, honey by 40%, poppy seeds and raisins by over 30%.

The cost of uzvar has risen even more. Dried plums have become 168% more expensive, dried pears by 140%, apples by 110%, which ultimately led to a 150% increase in the price of this drink.

Costs for fish dishes

Additional burden on the festive budget comes from fish dishes: herring has become 24% more expensive, and hake for baking by 25%. The overall cost of the Lenten table has also been affected by rising sunflower oil prices, which have increased by 22%.

Thus, despite some discounts on vegetables, the festive table in 2025 will still be more expensive.

Therefore, Ukrainians this year will face increased costs for preparing traditional Lenten dishes, despite positive changes in vegetable pricing policies. This may affect the choice of dishes and the budget for Christmas celebrations for many families in the country.