April 23, 2014. Consumer prices of goods and services rose by 2.2% in March 2014 compared with December 2013. In March 2013, the figure was actually 0.2% lower than in December 2012, Sverdlovskstat reports.

Food items grew 4% more expensive, including a 3.9% increase in food prices and a 5.1% increase in the price of strong drinks.

The prices of fruit and vegetables increased by 17.8%, including a 46.2% increase in the price of potatoes, a 28% increase in the price of vegetables, and a 9.6% increase in the price of fruit and citrus fruits. The price of cabbage rose the most (it actually doubled), followed by a 1.5-times increase in the price of onions, beetroot (+39.8%), carrots (+29.6%), bananas (+25.9%), and lemons (+11.7%).

Sugar, butter, dairy products, and soft and hard cheeses grew 5.4% to 13.1% more expensive. At the same time, eggs became 5.6% less expensive, as did sunflower seed oil (-4.9%), buckwheat (-2%), instant coffee (-1%), and frozen and chilled chicken (-0.7%).

The minimum consumer basket amounted to 3,291 RUR in late March, which was 9.7% more than in December 2013 (and 3.4% more than in the year 2013 altogether).