Grocery Price Analysis: Poland vs. Ukraine
Ukrainian blogger Bohdana Kondratenko conducted a detailed price comparison by visiting Auchan supermarkets in both Poland and Ukraine. She documented the exact costs for a wide range of everyday items, providing a snapshot of current grocery expenses. This comparison is particularly relevant as many Ukrainians have sought refuge in Poland since the full-scale invasion began in 2022.
- beverages
- dairy products
- meat
- eggs
- vegetables
- fruit
- bread
The study also noted a specific price increase for potatoes within Ukraine.
Detailed Price Breakdown
According to the data, a 1.5-liter bottle of Coca-Cola costs 106 UAH in Poland, compared to 50-60 UAH in Ukraine. A large container of sour cream is priced at 58 UAH in the Polish Auchan, while milk can be purchased for 47 or 53 UAH. Packaged chicken breast costs 350 UAH per kilogram in Poland versus 250 UAH per kilogram in Ukraine. A pack of ten medium-sized eggs is 126 UAH in Poland, with ten free-range eggs costing 145 UAH.
Among vegetables, unwashed potatoes in Poland cost about 18 UAH per kilogram, while washed potatoes are 100 UAH for 2.5 kg. Cabbage sells for 25 UAH per kg, and apples for 60 UAH per kg. Bread prices also vary: a baguette ranges from 30 to 40 UAH, while half a loaf of Lithuanian rye bread costs 120 UAH. Orange juice in the Polish store is priced at 100 UAH, and tomato paste at 42 UAH.
In Ukraine, potato prices have risen by 17%. Domestic producers are offering potatoes within the range of 7-14 UAH per kilogram. It is important to note that the minimum monthly wage in Ukraine is 8,647 UAH, while in Poland it is 4,666 złoty, which is equivalent to approximately 56,000 UAH.
Ukrainian reactions to the Polish prices have been mixed. Blogger Kondratenko remarked:
"The situation with eggs here is especially curious. Apart from being available in different sizes, eggs are also categorized by whether the hen was kept solely indoors or was allowed outdoor access." - Bohdana Kondratenko
At the same time, many Ukrainians emphasize that 'life in Poland cannot be directly compared to life in Ukraine,' pointing to the different ratios between prices and wages in the two countries.
The product prices in Poland and Ukraine reveal significant disparities, highlighting differences in the cost of living and purchasing power. As prices for staple goods rise in Ukraine, such comparisons help citizens contextualize their own economic situation, underscoring the value of these investigations for understanding the economic realities in both nations.