New Year’s table-2026: how much will you have to spend on the “budget” and “delicacies”
16 December 2025 08:42
A festive New Year’s table for an average Ukrainian family of four in 2026 will cost about 3,980 hryvnias. This is 10.7% more expensive than last year. Such calculations were published by the National Research Center “Institute of Agrarian Economics”, having analyzed the average prices in large supermarkets in Ukraine as of mid-December 2025, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
For the fourth year in a row, Ukrainians have been celebrating the New Year under martial law. For many families, a full-fledged celebration will be impossible due to the war, loss of housing or income. At the same time, for those who are planning a traditional holiday table, scientists have calculated the real cost of basic products.
The calculation of the cost of the New Year’s table in 2026 was made by the National Research Center “Institute of Agrarian Economics” based on data from the Ministry of Finance, which conducts daily monitoring of prices for basic food products in Auchan, Megamarket, Metro, Novus grocery supermarkets as of December 11, 2025.
What is included in the “budget” New Year’s table
The calculation of the Institute of Agrarian Economics covers a typical set of products for a Ukrainian family:
- salads (“Olivier”, “Herring under a fur coat”)
- meat and fish products;
- vegetables and fruits;
- bakery and confectionery products;
- alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
The total amount is 3980 UAH, excluding delicacies.
Salads: what went up and what went down in price
“Olivier”
Three kilograms of products for a traditional Olivier salad will cost 406.87 UAH in 2026, which is 5.8% more than last year.
Sausage has risen in price the most – 180 UAH per 0.5 kg (12.5%).
At the same time, vegetables have become much cheaper: potatoes, carrots and onions have fallen in price by more than 50%.
“Herring under a fur coat”
This salad will cost 174.83 UAH, which is only 4% more expensive than last year. The main part of the cost is formed by herring fillet – 135 UAH per 0.5 kg (13.4%). Salad vegetables have more than halved in price.
Meat is the main cost item
The cost of meat products increased by an average of 23%.
A set of meat dishes for a festive table (2.85 kg) will cost about UAH 1269.
The most expensive items are:
- chicken fillet – 244 UAH/kg (40%);
- smoked sausage – 410 UAH per 350 g (22%);
- bacon – UAH 276 per 0.5 kg (21%).
Despite rising prices, poultry remains the most affordable type of meat.
Dairy products, vegetables and fruits
- hard cheese (300 g) – UAH 176 (19%);
- butter (200 g) – 118 UAH (14%).
Vegetables in general fell by 5% due to a record harvest:
- potatoes (2 kg) – 29 UAH (-58%);
- champignons (1 kg) – 140 UAH (-11%).
Fruit has also become more affordable:
- tangerines, bananas and lemons – a total of 200 UAH (-22%).
We will pay 116 UAH for 2 kg of tangerines, 1 kg of bananas will cost an average of 62 UAH, and 1 lemon (200 g) will cost 22 UAH.
Drinks and sweets
- a loaf of white bread – 35 UAH (25%);
- chocolates (1 kg) – UAH 326 (16%);
- artemivske champagne – UAH 239 (14%);
- shabo brandy – UAH 278 (6%);
Soft drinks for the festive table will cost UAH 149 (34% increase in price). For Nash Sik multivitamin juice with 950 ml of pulp you will have to pay UAH 61.90 (57%), for Coca-Cola drink (1.75 liters) – UAH 60.80 (26%), for Morshynska mineral water (1.5 liters) – UAH 26.38 (14%).
How much does a table with delicacies cost?
For those who can afford holiday delicacies:
- red caviar (100 g) – UAH 469
- red fish (180 g) – UAH 344.
In this case, the 2026 New Year’s table will cost about 4793 UAH, which is 10.6% more than last year.
Why the New Year’s table is getting more expensive
Yuriy Lupenko, director of the Institute of Agrarian Economics, explains the price increase:
- the consequences of a full-scale war;
- reduction of production;
- rise in electricity and fuel prices;
- logistical difficulties.
At the same time, record vegetable harvests in 2025 partially restrained the price increase.
Experts predict that most Ukrainians will be forced to save money on the traditional New Year’s menu due to rising costs and lower incomes.
