The cost of the Olivier salad in Donetsk has been announced: the price has risen by a third

It’s all about delivery

Despite the martial law and the bad weather that covered the region, Donetsk residents have already begun preparations for the New Year celebration.

And if artificial spruce trees this year do not differ in price from last year, then with natural pines, as traders predict, and food products so necessary for the classic celebration, not everything is so rosy. This year they will ask for 500 rubles for one live pine tree, and the index of the most famous New Year’s salad “Olivier” has broken all records – it is almost 30% higher than the previous year.

The classic salad is famous for its simple composition and if you take a family of four people, then it will be enough: boiled potatoes – 4-5 pieces, carrots – 2-3 pieces, chicken eggs – 4-5 pieces, boiled “Doctor” sausage or chicken fillet – 400 grams, pickled or fresh cucumbers – 4 pieces, canned peas – 1 jar, mayonnaise – 250-300 grams, greens – 1 bunch, salt and pepper – to taste.

Based on official price monitoring, as well as market value, we calculated how much Donetsk residents would have to spend to prepare Olivier. Prices for potatoes in Donetsk have soared to 50-60 rubles per kilogram, according to sellers, due to bad weather – suppliers do not reach markets and shops within walking distance, and potatoes on street stands quickly freeze. Therefore, most residents of the regional capital, for example, prefer to shop in supermarkets. Carrots will cost 50-70 rubles per kilogram. One of the most expensive salad ingredients this year was chicken eggs, the prices of which soared to unprecedented heights in the DPR – from 135 to 180 rubles per dozen. Homemade eggs have completely surpassed the mark of 200 rubles per dozen. Another expensive, but irreplaceable salad ingredient is “doctor’s” sausage or boiled milk. There are a great variety of such sausages on the shelves, but high-quality and, most importantly, tasty, starts from 350-400 rubles per kilogram. Peas and mayonnaise will cost approximately 180-200 rubles. If you buy greens in advance, they will cost 45-50 rubles per bunch, but as experience shows, just before the New Year, their price will double.

Cucumbers will cost 115-170 rubles – pickled in a jar, and about 200 rubles – fresh, the price of which on supermarket shelves is approaching 300 rubles per kilogram. Capers, apples, pickled onions, beef – all this remains at the discretion of housewives, but judging by price monitoring, these products have also increased in price by 20-35% from last year’s figures. As a result, in December 2022, a family of four needed to spend from 300 to 550 rubles on their favorite salad. This year – from 550 to 750 rubles.

How do Donetsk residents react to this state of New Year’s affairs? Differently. Some are not ready to give up traditional holiday dishes and will spend the evening of New Year’s Eve in troubles and cooking, others prefer to order ready-made dishes in the same supermarkets or cafes, others are planning their holidays away from home, and some are not going to celebrate at all, because… this year it is really a costly affair.