Residents of Chechnya complained about the constant rise in prices ahead of Eid al-Fitr.

Prices at markets and stores are rising and will increase even further just before Eid al-Fitr, Chechen residents reported, noting that meat, dairy products, and fruit are among the most expensive products. Economists emphasized that such a large-scale price increase is not related to the VAT increase.

As "Caucasian Knot" reported, prices are rising both at markets and stores before Ramadan, social media users noted in early February, and food prices published by the official Chechen newspaper do not reflect reality. Chechen authorities' reports on food price controls have had virtually no impact on the situation in stores and markets. Low-income residents of Grozny, including pensioners and teachers, reported that, amid rising prices, they are struggling to find money for food at the beginning of Ramadan. Residents of rural areas have an easier time securing food, but prices for basic groceries in local stores have also risen. Despite official reports of raids on stores and markets, prices in Chechnya only continue to rise during the month of Ramadan, online users reported.

Food Price Rise in Chechnya Continues

Promises of harsh measures for rising prices during Ramadan in Chechnya have had no impact on the market, residents of the republic told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent. Despite these promises, food prices have risen.

"Prices are rising on everything. Beef is now 780 rubles per kilo, down from 680-700 rubles in February. Lamb has jumped to 650 rubles, down from 550-580 rubles previously. "A 3-kilogram chicken costs 650 rubles; the same amount used to cost 550-580. A dozen home-cooked eggs are now 150 rubles; they used to cost 130," said 42-year-old teacher Asia.  

After all the government's promises of tough measures, prices haven't gone down.

"On the contrary, they keep going up. I tried to stock up early; in early March, I bought rice, flour, butter, sugar, and canned goods at the old prices. But I'll still have to buy fresh meat, vegetables, and fruit just before the holiday. I won't be going to Dagestan to buy groceries." "I haven't tried the hotline; it's useless, nothing will change anyway," she noted.

According to 35-year-old Ruslan, a taxi driver, the biggest price increases have been for meat and dairy products.

"Ground beef is now 650 rubles per kilogram, down from 550-570. Meat in general has gone up by 50-100 rubles. Suluguni cheese has jumped to 700 rubles, while regular cheese is 500. A couple of weeks ago, it was 100 rubles cheaper, if I'm not mistaken. Fruit has also gone up. Oranges are 150 rubles per kilogram, down from 100-120; tangerines are 180, down from 130-150 max; bananas are now 150, and pomegranates are 200. Not a single product has gone down in price," He complained to a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

We'll have to buy the main things before the holiday at high prices.

Ruslan knew food prices would go up, but he couldn't shop in advance.

"We have a large family, three children, and everything gets eaten quickly. We'll have to buy the main things before the holiday at high prices. Sometimes I shop in neighboring regions if I go there to order. But I can't say it's much cheaper there. Some things are cheaper, some are more expensive," he noted.

28-year-old Zarema also notes that food prices have increased.

"Prices haven't gone down on anything, even though they constantly show raids and inspections on TV. I work in retail, and I see how our suppliers raise prices every week; they say everything is getting more expensive at wholesalers. "At the end of February, I froze meat while it was cheaper. But I'll have to buy fresh vegetables, herbs, and fruit before the holidays, and that will be expensive," she said.

According to her, this is the period when people buy more and demand for all foods increases.

"I don't blame anyone; I work in retail myself. Sellers want to make a little money during this period. No one can regulate prices," she said.

Prices for "expensive" products have increased less, while prices for "cheap" products, which the poor buy, have jumped more.

63-year-old Magomed particularly noticed the rise in prices for offal and vegetables because he has to economize on his pension. "Beef tongue is now 500 rubles per kilogram, it used to be 400. Heart and liver are 250 rubles, it used to be 180-200. I used to buy them often because they were cheaper than meat, but now they've gone up in price too. Unpeeled wild garlic has also gone up in price - 400 rubles. My wife loves it, but we buy it less often now. Grapes are 250 rubles per kilogram instead of 180-200, pears are 250 instead of 180-200. These are what I always buy and I always ask the prices before buying," he told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

According to his observations, the prices have gone up on things that weren't that expensive.

"The prices for 'expensive' products have gone up less, while the 'cheap' ones that the poor buy have jumped more. I won't complain to anyone. They know everything perfectly well, and if "If they turn a blind eye to this, then that's how it should be. Just let them raise pensions before the holidays. That's all," he noted.

Economists ruled out the influence of the VAT increase on food price increases

The rise in prices during Ramadan is the result of the desire to earn more, says Moscow economist  Sergey Zhavoronkov.

"I think we can talk about not even demand, but the desire to earn money - similar to how prices rise, say, before the New Year. The reasons are different, but the mechanism of business behavior is the same," he told the "Caucasian Knot".

According to him, the increase in VAT from 20% to 22% on January 1 does not explain the rise in prices.

"VAT increased on January 1, so why are prices rising now? It's March 12," he pointed out he.

Price increases during Ramadan are a classic example of seasonal rush demand, explains an economist who wished to remain anonymous.

"Food consumption during the month of Ramadan increases sharply due to cultural traditions. The holiday requires significant purchases of meat, sweets, and fruit. Demand is higher than in normal months, which creates objective conditions for price increases. As for who raises prices, this is a complex issue at all levels of the supply chain. Wholesale suppliers raise prices first, knowing about the upcoming surge in demand. Retailers add their margin, citing "price increases at wholesalers." Blaming only one party is wrong. The entire chain participates in pricing, using high demand to maximize profits," he told the Caucasian Knot.

According to the economist, the VAT increase from 20% to 22% from January 1 2026 cannot be considered the main factor behind price increases specifically during Ramadan.

"Mathematically, a 2 percentage point increase in VAT adds approximately 1.7% to the final price. That is, if a product cost 100 rubles with 20% VAT, then with 22% VAT it should cost around 101.7 rubles. This does not explain the price increases we are seeing during Ramadan. VAT serves only as an additional factor and a convenient excuse for sellers," he emphasized.