Food prices in Russia

[possum]

I saw something today that made me so angry I wanted to scream.. It was a slab of beef at $12 a kilo. Now, I realize that food prices have gone up considerably around the world in the past couple of years, but I can't help but think someone is purposely inflating some of these prices and pocketing the "difference"

I guess I was just wondering if any of you are outraged by the latest post-crisis increases in the price of food in Russia.. I strongly suspect that our prices are among the highest in the world right now..

[BC]

Possum,

We just returned a couple weeks ago, and yes is quite disturbing to see that prices in RU for basic foodstuffs, meat, milk, veggies etc were equal to or considerably higher than those here in EU.  We're not talking Moscow either.  Higher level consumer items such as name brand appliances on the other hand were cheaper.  Doesn't make sense.

[possum]

Possum,

We just returned a couple weeks ago, and yes is quite disturbing to see that prices in RU for basic foodstuffs, meat, milk, veggies etc were equal to or considerably higher than those here in EU.  We're not talking Moscow either.  Higher level consumer items such as name brand appliances on the other hand were cheaper.  Doesn't make sense.

Just a few years ago it was the other way around.. Electronics were unreasonably expensive while food was cheaper than in Europe.. BTW, Moscow food prices have always been lower than the national average.

[BC]

Wonder how much the wheat crisis affected prices... although my wife says that the price rise started way before that.

[Shadow]

You can comfort yourself that our local price for a kilo of beef is around $17
Which is why we regularly take a trip to Germany and pay $7 ......

[ConnerVT]

$5.45/lb for beef isn't all that expensive, even in the USA.  And given that beef usually isn't the primary meat choice in Russia (compared to pork and chicken), the pricing seems reasonable.

[possum]

$5.45/lb for beef isn't all that expensive, even in the USA.  And given that beef usually isn't the primary meat choice in Russia (compared to pork and chicken), the pricing seems reasonable.

There was an outrage a few months ago when the price of beef hit the $8 mark.. Now it's at $10-12 a kilo, and will probably keep going up. Meanwhile, most people have not seen an increase in their salaries since 2008. Pork is currently hovering at $6-7 a kilo..

[ECOCKS]

There was an outrage a few months ago when the price of beef hit the $8 mark.. Now it's at $10-12 a kilo, and will probably keep going up. Meanwhile, most people have not seen an increase in their salaries since 2008. Pork is currently hovering at $6-7 a kilo..

When the average income is so much lower, proportonately, than the EU or the US the price of meat is out of sight.

Eat more potatoes, bread, rice, beets and other starch-based foods Al. I'd send you a kilo of pulled pork if I could bud.

[Gylden]

I have a feeling "we aint seen nothin yet" and that goes for the rest of the world as well!

[ECOCKS]

"We'll all be a little hungry, bye and bye." - R. Heinlein

[BC]

I'd send you a kilo of pulled pork if I could bud.

Now you got me droolin' too...

[Misha]

I strongly suspect that our prices are among the highest in the world right now..

If you want to compare, here are the prices for various cuts of meat that are on sale now at our local supermarket:

[Gylden]

We can only dream about such low prices!!

http://www.e-magin.se/v5/viewer/files/viewer_t.aspx?gKey=xxxbbxgr

[tfcrew]

Why prices are rising: Bad weather in Australia and Russia over the summer severely diminished wheat crops, partially fueling the latest commodities surge.

http://money.cnn.com/2011/01/28/news/international/inflation_food_prices_middle_east/

Even McDonalds is re-considering the Dollar Meal.
Will either be smaller [a McTinyburger?] or call it the Dollarandsixbit Meal.

Bon Appitit'
Karl

[Misha]

We can only dream about such low prices!!

http://www.e-magin.se/v5/viewer/files/viewer_t.aspx?gKey=xxxbbxgr

Beef filets at $40 per kg  That had better be some good beef 

[ConnerVT]

http://money.cnn.com/2011/01/28/news/international/inflation_food_prices_middle_east/

Even McDonalds is re-considering the Dollar Meal.
Will either be smaller [a McTinyburger?] or call it the Dollarandsixbit Meal.

Burger King franchise owners last year were very upset that corporate required them to put double cheeseburgers on the dollar menu, as they were losing more than 5 cents on every one.

[possum]

When the average income is so much lower, proportonately, than the EU or the US the price of meat is out of sight.

Eat more potatoes, bread, rice, beets and other starch-based foods Al. I'd send you a kilo of pulled pork if I could bud.

Mmmm pulled pork... I actually love potatoes, more than meat, in fact.. but I'll hold off on going on a potato diet for now. I'm going to need protein to get me through the next semester.

[possum]

I bought one mid-sized tomato and one cucmber today for the equivalent of $2 US..

[chivo]

Possum, I just read last week that global food prices have increased 25% year to year (2010) compared to just under 11% in Russia. Still outpacing inflation BTW. Most affected by the rise are meat, butter, sugar and some grains. Seems things are continuing into this year.

Still it does seem strange that every time I enter a grocery store here the prices are higher. Russians (me too) shop almost daily . and you know how fruit/vegetable prices are during the winter

Last years drought and forecasts of another on the horizon by local speculators are mainly to blame. Things probably won't stabilize until after the next big harvest, or so they say. Who knows, like the oil companies, they always have an excuse to raise prices.

What ever you do don't buy the cheap food. Lord knows what the retailers are putting in some of the food they sell, like sausages, for example .

And now for some American humor: What did the cashier girl say to you while you were paying? Is that a cucumber in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?

[possum]

Amen.. They just said on the local news that most food prices have gone up a good 5% since the New Year, if not more. 

[Gator]

Possum,

American prices for beef are lower partly because we allow farmers to inject sex hormones in cattle to stimulate growth.  Other reasons for a lower price include the feedlot practice and government subsidized grain.   I know some health conscious RW who will not eat American beef.  IIRC, Europe bans the import of American beef (although the ban may be less about health and more about a policy to protect beef farmers in Europe).

Americans consume a lot of beef, and one would think that by now there would be definitive research to suggest whether the risk is significant.

For those complaining about higher prices, you can feel better if you look at what Japanese pay for the best beef:

http://1-800-kobebeef.com/10ozfimistim.html

The best goes for $290/kg.  That's the price for beef from cattle with smaller diet, longer life and daily massage and masturbation. 

[Daveman]

The best goes for $290/kg.  That's the price for beef from cattle with smaller diet, longer life and daily massage and masturbation. 

Geez, every pleasure has its price, eh? even for cattle... I bet "Be a Steak" is conveniently left out of bovine recruitment brochure..

and if at least part of THAT process doesn't make TLC's Worst Jobs, I don't know what the hell would.

[Shadow]

Made some shopping trip today. We reckon that by driving 200Km and spending $20 on fuel we saved $150 on meat for the coming month.... local prices are so insane we start offering our supermarket to supply them at retail price that we pay...

[Chicagoguy]

Do they have Spam in Russia ?   

[SANDRO43]

IIRC, Europe bans the import of American beef (although the ban may be less about health and more about a policy to protect beef farmers in Europe).

I'd say your suspicion is not well founded: the practice of using hormones (steroids in particular) to accelerate animal growth has long been banned for public-health reasons in the whole EC IINM, so it would make no sense to accept that sort of meat from elsewhere.

In 2009 the European Commission signed a preliminary agreement with the USA permitting their export to the EC of 20,000 tons/year of "quality beef meat" (i.e. from cattle not 'helped' to grow with hormones), a quantity to increase to 45,000 tons in 2012.