From eggs to fish. Russia's rocketing food prices leave citizens reeling in the holiday season

Egg prices have witnessed nearly a 50% rise this year in Russia, significantly affecting the financial health of ordinary citizens. Not only are they costlier, but they are also becoming scarce in markets and stores. Just as the holiday season begins, a crisis unfolds. Hence, government officials, including President Vladimir Putin himself, have intervened. Yet, the lines continue, not exclusive to eggs anymore.

Consumers in Krasnoyarsk, Tumen, Belgorod, Samara, and other parts of the country desire to purchase fish, but the high prices have left them in disbelief. Especially with the holiday season near...

In a somewhat clumsy manner, the Russian authorities attempted to make sense of the crisis for the citizens. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov assured that appropriate actions are underway and the battle to reduce egg prices has shown signs of success. A hotline conversation with President Vladimir Putin also addressed this issue.

Among the many critical inquiries from Russians, the topic of food cost was certainly not overlooked.

Interestingly, when Russia decided to import an additional 1.3 billion eggs from Turkey, Iran, and Azerbaijan, it led to a sudden spike in fish prices. Fish, another popular choice for Christmas meals from St. Petersburg to Moscow to Vladikavkaz, has become a cause for concern. With the market already flooded with eggs, how will consumers react to the increasing fish prices?

Agriculture Minister Dmitry Patrushev, who also leads the FSB, recently expressed that egg prices in Russia would only start to cool off in the new year. The same trend is expected for other seasonal items that see a surge in demand before the holiday season. However, this explanation offers little consolation to the public, similar to the high store prices. The escalating costs stem from the ongoing geopolitical conflict and numerous sanctions.

During a press conference on December 14, Vladimir Putin attributed the rising prices of poultry and eggs to increased demand due to an uptick in Russian incomes. While the claim is questionable, public trust in him remains shaky. They remember the pre-war economic conditions and how the current reality looks in comparison.

In response to supply issues, Putin and his team pin the blame on administration officials, despite their helplessness.

Ordinary citizens, accustomed to standing in lines for centuries, have resorted to an old joke from Soviet Union times. "We in Russia no longer ask ourselves: What came first, the chicken or the egg? An answer is futile, as we end up queuing for both anyway."

There's a growing distrust towards the authorities and the course of the ruble among the population. They recognize the detrimental impact the war has had on food prices and foresee no respite anytime soon. Not within this year, and quite likely, not in the next, either.