Individuals in Russia may allocate up to a third of their earnings towards purchasing food.
In the last half-decade, Russian residents have been shelling out a whopping 30-35% of their monthly earnings on grub, hinting at economic hardship even with the bump in nominal incomes. It's no surprise, really—these numbers aren't far off from those in countries grappling with similar economic woes.
Recently, an expert from the "Garda Capital" agency, Kirill Seleznev, spilled the beans to "Gazeta.Ru" about Russian citizens' food expenditure trends over the past five years. The deal's been that this slice of the income pie has been oscillating between 30% and 35%, which is a hefty amount compared to developed nations, where it usually doesn't exceed 15%, and low-income countries, where it might balloon beyond 50%. It's worth mentioning that this spendy trend has remained steady since 2021, despite nominal incomes getting a boost from inflation, as per a Rоmir study. Currently, Russia's food expenditure situation mirrors that of Brazil, Mexico, and Turkey.
In early 2025, according to Rosstat data, around 11.9 million Russians, equating to 8.1% of the population, were hanging out below the poverty line—approximately 16,621 rubles a month. Compared to the first quarter of 2024, the population struggling with low incomes has seen a drop of 2.1 million, indicating that poverty is gradually retreating by 1.5 percentage points.
Various factors differentiate Russia's situation from that of developed and low-income nations. For instance, inflation and price hikes have been rampant in Russia, with food inflation peaking at 12.66% in April 2025. Specific items like potatoes have endured eye-popping price increases, with prices nearly tripling over the past year. This has prompted many to switch to cheaper swaps like pasta and bread to trim their expenses.
Moreover, Western sanctions have left supply chains in shambles. International brands have bailed out on the Russian market, leading to shortages and hikes in prices. Add to that the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, causing shortages and volatility in critical food items. Furthermore, labor shortages have ensued due to the military offensive in Ukraine, pushing up prices even higher due to wage spikes.
The Central Bank has attempted to put a dent in inflation by reducing interest rates, signaling easing economic pressure. However, a high-interest-rate environment persists, adding to the overall financial strain. Lastly, consumer behavior has shifted towards cheaper alternatives as prices for staples escalate.
In a nutshell, Russia's unique mix of geopolitical trouble, economic challenges, and logistical snags has driven a high food spending rate for citizens. This predicament contrasts with that of developed nations, which generally boast more stable food supplies, lower inflation rates, and resilient food systems that can shrug off shockwaves. Meanwhile, low-income countries often face issues of poverty and food access owing to different reasons.
In light of the economic challenges facing Russia, many residents are dedicating a significant portion of their personal-finance budget to food with expenditure averaging 30-35%, a figure much higher compared to developed nations where it usually doesn't exceed 15%. Experts attribute this trend to factors such as rampant inflation, Western sanctions, and conflict with Ukraine, which collectively impact the country's food supply and price stability.
