Social media users complained about rising prices in Grozny ahead of Ramadan.
Prices are rising again ahead of the month of Ramadan, both at markets and in stores, social media users have reported.
As "Caucasian Knot" reported, in 2025, authorities installed billboards with fixed prices at the Berkat market in Grozny ahead of Eid al-Fitr during the month of Ramadan. If these prices are exceeded, Grozny residents are advised to call the hotline. In 2025, food prices in Chechnya rose ahead of Eid al-Fitr. Residents are forced to purchase food in neighboring regions, but fear that food will be confiscated at checkpoints under the pretext of supporting local entrepreneurs. The Deputy Mufti of Chechnya called on entrepreneurs not to raise food prices during Ramadan. These calls came too late, as prices have already risen significantly, according to social media commenters. They proposed introducing penalties for those who inflate prices. On March 17, 2025, Ramzan Kadyrov ordered intensified raids, the confiscation of food with unjustified markups from sellers, and distribution to those in need. Following this, the Grozny mayor's office reported raids on stores.
Kadyrov's threats to confiscate groceries from vendors come amid an existing practice: previously, products were confiscated from customers purchasing goods outside the republic before Eid al-Fitr. Two Chechen residents reported that their cars were being searched at the border with Dagestan before Eid al-Fitr in 2024 as part of a crackdown on violators of the "resolution on supporting local entrepreneurship," according to a "Caucasian Knot" article published on March 13, 2025. The police stated that "they had orders to confiscate for the benefit of childcare facilities," but one of those interviewed—an elderly driver—managed to persuade the security forces. In another case, security forces "pulled two boxes of chickens and one package of 30 eggs from the car." Residents of Chechnyareported similar searches at the Gerzelsky checkpoint in 2023. "They picked on the chickens, saying that we are not patriots of the republic; in Chechnya, they sell chickens everywhere, and you buy them in Dagestan. In short, they confiscated the chickens," a Chechen resident quoted her neighbor as saying.
The editorial staff of "Chechnya Segodnya" compiled food prices at the Berkat market in Grozny ahead of Ramadan.
Meat products: ground meat - 650 rubles, meat - 600 rubles, boneless meat - 800, whole chicken - 600-650 rubles, ground chicken - 500 rubles. Greens (bunch) - 50 rubles, Chinese cabbage - 100 rubles, wild garlic - 400 rubles (peeled wild garlic - 800 rubles). Eggs (tray) - 250 rubles, homemade sour cream - 450 rubles, milk (homemade) - 250 rubles per liter.
Lemons (three pieces) - 100 rubles, one lemon - 50 rubles. Bananas - 150 rubles, oranges - 150 rubles, apples - 120 rubles, kiwi - 250 rubles, pomegranate - 250 rubles, pears - 250 rubles. Cucumbers - 170 rubles, tomatoes - 150 rubles. Garlic - 400 rubles.
The cost of a pineapple is 600 rubles, according to a post on Instagram* of the publication, which has 620 thousand subscribers.
During Ramadan Muslims must abstain from food and drink during daylight hours. Eid al-Fitr is the holiday of breaking the fast after a month of fasting. On the occasion of the holiday, it is customary to receive guests, visit loved ones, and also the graves of relatives. The Russian Duma reported that in 2026, February 19 is the beginning of the fasting month of Ramadan; March 20th - Eid al-Fitr (Eid al-Fitr).
This post has garnered 118 comments.
Some users pointed out that the prices quoted in the post were inaccurate.
"Where are these cucumbers for 170? They've been 450-500 all winter," wrote lazer_deka.
"Just yesterday, cucumbers were 480, and they were crooked. Even imported ones cost the same," confirmed faridush76.
Prices were supposed to be lower for the holidays, but here they're raising them as usual.
Others considered the price increase unjustified. Price increases.
"What a horror! They were supposed to lower prices for the holidays, but here they're raising them as usual," writes tiam5851.
"Is this the 'Royal' variety of garlic? By the holidays it'll be a thousand," commented neperen111.
Some users noted that prices in stores are even higher.
Some comments suggested that the price increases aren't solely due to the sellers' whims.
"Inflation is skyrocketing across the country, and you've decided to disguise it as Ramadan. Funny. The country is in the midst of an economic crisis, which in a couple of months will force everyone to switch to boiled potatoes, bread, and water. Wake up already, the holy month of Ramadan has nothing to do with it," he believes. trista_tridcat_tri.