The sharp increase in cucumber prices in Russia has caused public discontent.
According to official statistics, since December, the price of cucumbers has doubled, rising to an average of over 300 rubles (approximately 3.9 dollars) per kilogram. On social networks, it is reported that in some places the price is two to three times higher than this.
According to **Modern.az**, the price increase has also provoked a reaction from politicians.
Sergei Mironov, leader of the “A Just Russia” party represented in parliament, criticized the price increase, stating that he did not find the Ministry of Agriculture's explanation of it with seasonal factors convincing. According to him, last year's potato price increase was justified with the same argument.
However, Yevgeny Popov, a deputy from the ruling United Russia party, wrote on social media that prices would soon fall and that Russia was fully self-sufficient in this product. Users, however, protested these statements, calling the prices of cucumbers and tomatoes “golden.”
Regarding the issue, the anti-monopoly agency appealed to producers and retail chains, demanding an explanation for the reasons behind the price increase. The price hike occurs against the backdrop of forecasts that the overall price increase since the beginning of the year has been 2.1 percent and that inflation could reach 5.5 percent.
Producers state that prices will stabilize next month as the weather warms. Nevertheless, the increase has further intensified concerns about the weakening economy and rising living costs amidst the four-year ongoing war in Ukraine.
