We Compared the Cost of an Easter Basket in Ukraine and Poland

This year, putting together an Easter basket for a family of four will cost 1,422 hryvnias in Ukraine and 1,326 hryvnias in Poland. These figures were published by the Institute of Agrarian Economics and the analytical centre of the international employment agency Gremi Personal. Poland was chosen for the comparison because it is home to the largest number of Ukrainians abroad, who are also preparing for Easter.

The cost of a homemade paska (Easter bread) made according to a traditional recipe will amount to 179.8 hryvnias per kilogram in Ukraine and 185 hryvnias in Poland. Meat dishes are the most expensive components. Researchers calculated the cost of the basket based on 0.5 kg of each product. Homemade sausage costs 200 hryvnias in Ukraine and 244 hryvnias in Poland. Roast pork (buzhenyna) — 265 hryvnias in Ukraine and 195 hryvnias in Poland. The price of lard in Ukraine is considerably lower — 110 hryvnias, while in Poland it reaches 200 hryvnias.

Among dairy products in Ukraine, hard cheese comes at the highest price — at least 265 hryvnias per half kilogram, whereas in Poland the price is 117 hryvnias. Butter costs 194.75 hryvnias in Ukraine and 185 hryvnias in Poland. Soft cheese is significantly more expensive in Ukraine — 107.5 hryvnias — compared to 68 hryvnias for the same weight in Poland.

A jar of horseradish (250 g) costs 27 hryvnias in Ukraine and 39 hryvnias in Poland. For 150 g of salt, the prices are 3 and 5 hryvnias respectively.

The analysis shows that the difference in food prices between the two countries is minimal; however, the agency highlights the difference in income levels. The average monthly salary in Poland is 59,332 hryvnias (6,061 złoty after taxes), while in Ukraine it is 17,442 hryvnias.

"We observe a minimal difference in food prices between Ukraine and Poland, yet it is important to take into account the income levels in each country. Given that the average monthly salary in Ukraine is almost three times lower than in Poland, it is clear that Ukrainians spend a significantly larger share of their income on food compared to Polish residents. Therefore, analysing food prices without considering income levels can lead to an incomplete understanding of the economic situation in both countries. This is why there is still a prevailing trend of Ukrainians coming to Poland to work and returning to Ukraine to spend their earnings," says Evhen Kirichenko, founder of Gremi Personal.