The Russian economy is grappling with a sharp rise in food prices, with the cucumber becoming its symbol. Since December 2025, the official price of this popular vegetable has risen by over 111 percent, forcing retail chains to introduce sales limits. This situation, explained by authorities as seasonal and due to greenhouse production costs, has sparked a wave of social discontent and forced intervention from state agricultural market regulators.

Record Vegetable Inflation

Official data from Rusprodsoyuz confirms a 111 percent increase in cucumber prices since November 2025, reaching a level of 300 rubles per kilogram.

Rationing in Stores

Due to shortages and speculation, some retail chains have introduced sales limits, with prices at markets reaching up to 1,500 rubles.

Impoverishment of Society

Food expenses already consume 40 percent of Russian family incomes, the highest indicator in sixteen years.

The Russian food market has become deeply unstable, with cucumbers rising to the status of a symbol of inflation, earning the nickname "green gold." According to data from Rusprodsoyuz, the Russian union of agricultural producers, the average retail price of these vegetables rose in February 2026 to 300 rubles per kilogram. This marks a jump of 111 percent compared to the end of last year. However, the situation in smaller stores and marketplaces is much worse – there are reports of prices reaching up to 1,500 rubles (about 70 PLN) per kilogram. Experts point out that the share of food expenses in Russian household budgets has reached 40 percent, a level not seen in sixteen years. While official government statements emphasize seasonality and rising greenhouse heating costs, consumers and independent analysts see the causes in a broader economic crisis triggered by international isolation. In response to product shortages, some retail chains have decided on rationing, introducing purchase limits per person. This situation is causing growing social tensions, as price stability for basic food products had been one of the foundations of relative internal calm. During the times of the Soviet Union, food rationing and widespread product shortages were everyday life, leading to the formation of the so-called shortage economy. Today's vegetable limits evoke memories of the crises of the 1980s and 1990s among older generations of Russians. The rise in vegetable prices has also become the subject of mockery and ironic comments on Russian social media, where cucumbers are compared to luxury goods. Nevertheless, for most of society, the matter is serious – rising food costs force the abandonment of other needs, leading to progressive impoverishment of the population. Market regulators announce inspections, but without systemic changes in production and logistics costs, it is difficult to expect a lasting reversal of this negative trend. 111% — was the official increase in cucumber prices

[{"aspekt": "Cucumber price (kg)", "przed": "140 rubles", "po": "300-1500 rubles"}, {"aspekt": "Share of food in budget", "przed": "approx. 30%", "po": "40%"}]

Increase in Average Cucumber Price in Russia: 2025-11: 142, 2025-12: 190, 2026-01: 250, 2026-02: 300