Cherry prices in Moscow have surged this year, with early varieties suffering from May frosts and a weakened ruble contributing to the increase. According to the Check Index analytical center, the average cost of cherries in May 2025 was 733 rubles, 12% higher than the previous year. The Tsenozavr monitoring center also reported a 26% increase in cherry prices in retail chains since June 2024, with the average cost reaching 667 rubles per kilogram at the beginning of summer 2025.

The Ministry of Agriculture attributes the price hike to May frosts that damaged over 100,000 hectares of various agricultural crops, including early cherry varieties. Vladislav Korovin, owner of Truffle Valley, Russia’s largest cherry orchard, confirmed a 40% crop loss due to frost.

Imported cherries from Turkey, Armenia, and Azerbaijan are currently available in Moscow, with domestic berries gradually appearing as mass sales are delayed due to the frost. Korovin noted that while cherries typically ripen in late May or early June, the harvest is only beginning now because the early varieties were frozen.

Economist Vasily Koltashov suggests additional factors contributing to the price increase, including the weakened ruble and a growing economy. He believes foreign cherry sellers are capitalizing on the situation, knowing that consumers are willing to pay higher prices. Koltashov argues that if consumers refused to buy at inflated prices, sellers would have to adjust to market conditions.