Cherry prices in Russia have seen a significant increase this year, driven by factors including frost damage to crops and a weakened ruble. Consumers are facing higher costs for this seasonal fruit in stores and markets across the country.

The average cost of cherries in May 2025 was 733 rubles, a 12% increase compared to May of the previous year. Retail chains have also experienced an average price hike of 26% since June 2024, with the average cost of a kilogram of cherries reaching 667 rubles at the beginning of summer 2025.

The Ministry of Agriculture reports that early cherry varieties were affected by May frosts, which damaged over 100,000 hectares of various agricultural crops. Vladislav Korovin, owner of Truffle Valley, Russia’s largest cherry orchard, confirmed a 40% crop loss due to these frosts, forcing them to adjust prices to compensate for lost revenue and align with import costs.

Currently, cherries available in Russia are primarily imported from Turkey, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. Domestic berries are gradually appearing, but mass sales are delayed due to the frost damage to early varieties. With a large percentage of cherries being imported, domestic prices are heavily influenced by the international market.

Economist Vasily Koltashov points out that the weakened ruble also contributes to the higher prices. Additionally, the growing economy allows foreign sellers to maintain higher prices, knowing consumers are willing to pay. Koltashov suggests that consumers can influence pricing by refusing to purchase cherries at inflated prices, signaling to sellers that the market cannot sustain such high costs.