After the New Year holidays, Ukrainians traditionally watch the price tags in stores. In January 2026, inflation may fluctuate between 0.5% and 1.5% depending on demand and a number of accompanying factors. Some products will remain unchanged in price, while certain items will still become more expensive. This is reported by agronews.ua.
Economist Oleg Pendzin predicts moderate inflation of about 0.5%. According to him, the post-holiday drop in consumer demand forces retail chains to restrain price increases, as consumers have less disposable income.
Which products will not become more expensive in January 2026
According to experts' estimates, the following will remain without significant price increases:
-
short-term storage products: milk, yogurts, fresh meat, live fish;
-
imported vegetables: cucumbers, tomatoes, and bell peppers;
-
citrus fruits and eggs, as current market supply is sufficient.
Which products will become more expensive in January 2026
At the same time, an increase in the cost of certain categories is expected:
-
vegetables and apples, due to the transition to storage in professional warehouses with higher costs;
-
bread, due to gradual increases in production costs.
Analyst Andriy Shevchishin is more cautious and predicts inflation of up to 1.5%. He notes that prices will be influenced by additional factors, including increases in minimum wages and pensions from January 1, an increase in excise taxes on alcohol, tobacco, and fuel, as well as so-called generator markups due to businesses' electricity costs.
Earlier, we reported that economist Volodymyr Chizh predicts an increase in food prices in Ukraine at the beginning of 2026, particularly for vegetables and fruits. According to him, prices for basic vegetables may rise by 5-7%, while fruits might become at least 10% more expensive.