Homemade Easter Bread Preparation Costs Rise by 12.2% – Analysts

With Easter 2026 just around the corner, the cost of preparing traditional homemade Easter bread, or 'paska,' has seen a significant increase of 12.2% compared to the previous year. According to the Ukrainian Club of Agrarian Business (UКAB), the average price has now reached 357.2 UAH for three to four pieces. This price hike is primarily driven by the rising costs of egg-dairy products, dried fruits, and greenhouse vegetables, as reported in a recent publication on Facebook by UКAB.

Analysts from the association highlighted a notable increase in the price of chicken eggs, which have risen by 4% over the past month, now averaging 86.4 UAH per dozen. When compared to the same period last year, this figure reflects a 13% increase. This trend indicates that the rising costs of the egg-dairy base have significantly impacted this year's 'paska index.'

According to UКAB's data, the preparation of three to four medium-sized paska loaves at home using a classic recipe will cost approximately 357.2 UAH, which is 12.2% more expensive than last year. The most significant contributors to the rising costs of this baked good include raisins, which have increased by 27% to 53.4 UAH for 200 grams, butter, which has risen by 13.1% to 138 UAH for 200 grams, and milk, which has seen an 11.6% increase to 34 UAH for half a liter. However, it is worth noting that deflation in the 'sweet' category has helped to mitigate the overall increase in production costs: sugar has decreased in price by 12.6% over the year, vanillin has dropped by 26.8% to 6.0 UAH, and powdered sugar has fallen by 2.5% to 6.7 UAH.

Regarding the cost of the Easter basket, the budget-friendly option, which includes paska, a dozen decorated eggs, salt, horseradish, and a candle, averages 482 UAH, marking a 12.7% increase from 2025. If additional items such as hard cheese, sausage, and mustard are included, the total cost rises to 965 UAH, reflecting a 13.8% increase. The most lavish basket, filled with wine, fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, and lard, will set consumers back 1,387 UAH, which is a 17% increase.

In the meat market, experts report that the situation remains relatively stable as the holiday approaches. The price of pork neck has increased by 3% over the past month, now costing 325 UAH per kilogram, which is 7% higher than a year ago. The price of lard has remained unchanged over the month, yet it has risen by 15% year-on-year, now standing at 274 UAH per kilogram.

The association emphasized that dairy products are beginning to show signs of stabilization due to lower purchase prices for raw milk and seasonal milk yields. However, this trend applies only to products with a short shelf life. In the categories of long shelf life, producers are keeping prices high to compensate for previous energy costs. The price of butter has stabilized at 141 UAH for 180 grams over the month, but it has increased by 16% on an annual basis. Hard cheese has also seen a 13% increase over the year, now costing 680 UAH per kilogram.

The most significant price contrasts have been observed in the vegetable department, where fresh cucumbers have skyrocketed by 147% over the year, reaching 240 UAH per kilogram, while tomatoes have increased by 90% to 215 UAH per kilogram. This sharp rise is attributed to heating costs for greenhouses and logistics. Conversely, open-field vegetables from last year's harvest, such as cabbage, carrots, and beets, have decreased in price by 84%, 74%, and 75%, respectively.