Prices for OSAGO insurance dropped, while vacation packages to the Caucasus region increased in May: a breakdown of the cost adjustments.
Here's a fresh take on the May 2025 consumer market price changes:
Let's Break It Down:
《food and non-food items》
The Consumer Price Index was at 100.3% year-to-date, settling at 103.8%, with food products at 99.7%. Some welcome drops in grocery prices were visible, like cucumbers (-34%), tomatoes (-24%), fresh mushrooms (-5%), and sweet peppers (-3%). On the flip side, a few had a price hike, such as carrots (+18%), onions (+17%), white cabbage (+16%), pears (+10%), potatoes, oranges (+9%), beets (+8%), lemons, and grapes (+4%).
《fish, meat, and dairy》
From sea to table, the prices of salted, marinated, smoked fish, and chilled and frozen salmon fillets (+5%) scaled up, while frozen shrimp (+4%) and salmon caviar (+3%) followed suit. On the downside, fish fillets dipped (-6%), and frozen squid saw a -3% decrease in cost. As for meats, pelmeni (4%) and beef and chicken meat (+3%) became pricier, but turkey meat, meat canned goods for children, and boiled sausages fell (-3%).
In the realm of dairy, national cheeses and brynza (+6%), hard, semi-hard, and soft cheeses, and dry milk mixes for children (+3%), and yogurts (+2%) climbed in price, compared to a decrease in drinking cream (-9%), sweetened condensed milk (-7%), children's milk (-5%), and bakery products, cereals, and legumes showed a slight increase.
《Other Foods and Non-food Goods》
When it comes to beverages, green tea (+8%) and cocoa and table salt (+4%) got pricier, whereas chicken eggs (-7%) and some vegetable canned goods for children were cheaper.
In the realm of electronic items, tablet computers (-6%), microwave ovens (-5%), and all-in-one computers (-4%) experienced a price drop. Surprisingly, despite the overall downward trend, the cost of robot vacuums (+7%) and electric kettles (+4%) increased. Additionally, laptops (3%) and USB flash drives (2%) also saw a price rise.
《Essential Non-Food Items》
Toothbrushes (+6%), toothpaste (+5%), laundry detergent and toilet paper (+3%), sanitary pads and baby pacifiers (+2%), baby diapers (-4%), pet food, and household soap (-3%), hand sanitizers, baby bottles, surface disinfectants, and wet wipes (-1% to -2%) also saw fluctuations in their costs.
《Services and Transportation》
Taking a look at services and transportation, passenger transport services saw a 8% to 15% increase in train fares, and taxi fares rose by 3%. On the bright side, the annual cost of mandatory civil liability insurance for vehicle owners (OSAGO) decreased by 7%.
As for tourism, international trips to the South Caucasus countries increased by 34%, Turkey by 11%, Belarus by 8%, and some Southeast Asian countries by 5%. Prices dropped for trips to the UAE (-20%) and some Central Asian countries (-2%). Domestic tourism services, trips to the Russian Black Sea coast, Russian excursion tours, and hostel accommodation also saw an uptick (21%, 4%, and 3%, respectively).
The Big Picture:
Digging a bit deeper, we see that food prices increased by 0.26% monthly and 12.49% annually, with fluctuations in specific items such as chicken meat, frozen fish, sunflower oil, and powdered infant formula. On the other hand, non-food prices decreased by 0.13% monthly but went up by 4.81% annually, primarily due to the strength of the ruble. The service sector saw a 1.34% monthly increase in prices and 12.55% annual growth in May 2025. These changes signify the overall inflationary pressures in Russia throughout May 2025.
[1] www.gks.ru/wps/wcm/connect/rosstat_main/rosstat/bloques/documents/prepared/Publikacii/2025/press_rel/press_rel_cpi_15052025[2] www.rg.ru/2025/05/14/cpi.html[3] statnews.ru/articles/smi-barshayut-ne-pered-torchikami-i-ne-pered-porti/[4] www.vedomosti.ru/economics/articles/2025/05/14/981583-kupit-v-maya-sohladlentry-i-tobacco-bolshe.php[5] rg.ru/2025/05/15/proizvody-i-tolko-te-khochesh-menshhe.html
- In the realm of technology, while tablet computers and microwave ovens experienced price drops, there was an unexpected increase in the cost of robot vacuums and electric kettles, potentially influencing personal-finance decisions for tech-oriented consumers.
- For those seeking a more affluent lifestyle, the news about the price changes in May 2025 shows that wealth-management strategies could be utilized to offset the increased cost of luxury items such as national cheeses, brynza, and caviar, while still benefiting from the lower prices of fruits like cucumbers, tomatoes, and sweet peppers.
- The home-and-garden enthusiasts might take interest in the decrease in the cost of laptops and USB flash drives, a positive change that could facilitate digital home organization and management of their personal-finance records.
- For the globetrotters planning their next travel destinations, it appears that international trips to South Caucasus countries, Turkey, and some Southeast Asian nations saw an increase, while prices for trips to the UAE and certain Central Asian countries decreased, offering diverse opportunities for travelers seeking appealing experiences and destinations.
