In the first half of 2026, prices for basic socially significant food products in Russia fell by an average of 10.4% compared to the same period last year, according to Stanislav Bogdanov, head of the Association of Omnichannel Retail Companies (AKORT). The most dramatic decline was seen in potatoes, which became 36.9% cheaper. Other staples followed suit: beets dropped by 35.6%, rice and cabbage by one-third, onions by 26.1%, and carrots, butter, salt, pork, and flour also saw notable reductions. The data, reported by RIA Novosti, highlights a broad deflationary trend in the “first-price” segment—goods that are most affordable and widely consumed by households.
By June 2026 alone, 11 out of 25 essential items became cheaper than in January. Pork prices fell by 25%, eggs by 17.6%, rice by 16.4%, and butter, millet, and black tea by nearly 13%. Buckwheat, flour, sunflower oil, lamb, and rye bread declined within a 10% range. These figures align with earlier Rosstat data showing pork at 392 rubles per kilogram in the first half of the year—a nearly 2% drop. The combined effect offers tangible relief for consumers, though analysts will watch whether the trend persists amid broader economic fluctuations.
