In February 2025, Ukrainians should prepare for the next increase in bread prices. Experts predict that the cost can increase by 3-5% in the near future, and by the end of the year the total rise in price of bread by more than 20% is expected. This was told by Svetlana Cheremisina, a scientist of the Institute of Agrarian Economics, in her commentary on the media.
How much does bread cost now?
As of January 2025, the average cost of the main types of bread has increased compared to last year:
- Higher grade flour wheat bread - 51.91 UAH/kg (+17.8% per year);
- Wheat bread from the flour of the first grade - 42.52 UAH/kg (+19.0%);
- Rye bread - 45.12 UAH/kg (+20.6%);
- Baton (500 g) - 27.78 UAH (+20.6%).
The monthly increase in prices within 1.5-3% became the norm, and only in December 2024 - January 2025 the bread went up by another 1.8-3.1% depending on the variety.
Why does bread go up?
The main reasons for the increase in the cost of bakery products remain:
- Rise in price of raw materials:
- Flour, as the main component of bread, went up by 3.7% to 19.93 UAH/kg .
- The price of sunflower oil increased by another 6%, to 72.73 UAH/kg .
- The consistently high price of sugar, which is 33.16 UAH/kg (growth by only 0.1%).
- Increase in production costs:
- Increasing energy prices, including electricity and gas.
- The price of transport services.
- Inflation:
The overall level of inflation affects all stages of production and logistics of bread. - Seasonal factors:
in winter, bread consumption is traditionally increasing, which increases demand and, accordingly, prices.
Analysts warn that the tendency to rise in price of bread will last for the whole 2025. If the monthly rise in prices will remain at 1.5-2%, by the end of the year bread will go up as much as 15–20%.
This means that by December 2025, wheat bread of higher grade flour can cost about 60-65 UAH/kg , and the loaf can exceed the mark of 33 UAH per 500 grams.
For many Ukrainians, bread is the main food, and its price can be significantly hit by the budget. This is especially true of low -income families.
Experts urge the government to pay attention to the situation and find ways to stabilize prices. At the same time, manufacturers note that without state support, it will be impossible to avoid the rise in price of products.
