The Easter basket index rose by 12%: eggs, butter, and raisins are driving prices up
6 April 17:40
In the run-up to Easter 2026, the cost of making homemade Easter bread rose by 12.2% compared to last year.
According to estimates by analysts at the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club, making three to four medium-sized Easter cakes using a classic recipe will cost approximately 357.2 UAH, reports
The price increase is primarily attributed to the rising cost of egg and dairy ingredients, which form the basis of Easter baking.
Which ingredients have risen in price the most
The following products had the greatest impact on the rise in the cost of Easter cakes:
| Product | Price change |
|---|---|
| Raisins | 27% (53.4 UAH per 200 g) |
| Butter | 13.1% (138 UAH per 200 g) |
| Milk | 11.6% (34 UAH per 0.5 L) |
Some ingredients, on the other hand, became cheaper, which partially offset the rise in the cost of baked goods:
- sugar — –12.6%
- vanillin — –26.8% (6 UAH)
- powdered sugar — –2.5% (6.7 UAH)
How much does an Easter basket cost?
Analysts from the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club also estimated the cost of a holiday basket depending on its contents.
Budget option ( Easter cake, a dozen eggs, salt, horseradish, and a candle)
- approximately 482 UAH
- This is 12.7% more expensive than last year.
Medium basket (with the addition of hard cheese, sausage, and mustard)
- about 965 UAH
- 13.8% over the year.
The most expensive option (with Cahors wine, vegetables, and lard)
- approximately 1,387 UAH
- 17% annually.
The situation on the meat and dairy markets
According to experts, the meat market remains relatively stable ahead of the holidays.
- Pork neck has risen in price by 3% over the month—to 325 UAH/kg
- on an annual basis, this is 7%
The price of lard has not changed over the month, but has risen by 15% over the year—to 274 UAH/kg.
Signs of stabilization are emerging in the dairy market due to lower purchase prices for raw milk and seasonal milk yields. However, this mainly applies to products with a short shelf life.
At the same time, long-term storage products remain expensive:
- butter has risen in price by 16% over the year
- hard cheese — by 13%, to 680 UAH/kg
The greatest contrast is seen in vegetable prices
The sharpest changes were recorded in the vegetable segment.
Greenhouse vegetables:
- cucumbers — 147% over the year (up to 240 UAH/kg)
- tomatoes — 90% (up to 215 UAH/kg)
Experts attribute this to high costs for greenhouse heating and logistics.
At the same time, open-field vegetables from last year’s harvest have become significantly cheaper:
- cabbage — –84%
- carrots — –74%
- beets — –75%
As a reminder, earlier
