An analysis of purchases by medical and social institutions in Kharkiv and the region showed a significant gap in sugar prices - from UAH 27.66 to almost UAH 45 per kilogram. At the same time, according to the Ministry of Finance portal, the average market price in 2025 in the region fluctuated within UAH 31–33, and in supermarkets the product was sold even cheaper. Some customers, such as Yuzhna Zaliznytsia and some city hospitals, concluded agreements with a price below the market price, while others overpaid by more than 30%.
The highest price of 44.49 UAH/kg was recorded in contracts concluded with individual entrepreneur Lutsenko Yana Volodymyrivna for Slobozhanska Hospital, University Clinic of KhNMU, National Pharmaceutical University and City Hospital No. 31. For individual customers, the price from the same supplier was 39.95 UAH/kg. Similarly, individual entrepreneur Chuchkina Olga Petrovna supplied sugar to children's regional hospitals at 39.95 UAH/kg.
At the same time, prices were significantly lower in a number of medical institutions. For example, the Regional Clinical Hospital bought sugar for less than 30 UAH/kg, and the Cardiology Center - for 32.5 UAH/kg. Some institutions, such as Psychiatric Hospital No. 3, after last year's analysis of the CHC, held tenders with savings. However, there were cases when, after concluding a contract, suppliers increased the price with additional agreements.
While the overpayment may seem small at the scale of an individual facility, when aggregated across the region, it amounts to hundreds of thousands of hryvnias per year. These funds could be used to renovate departments, purchase equipment, or improve patient nutrition, instead of financing inflated prices.
