How much is the ham? Easter basket this year is more expensive (PHOTO)

The holiday of Christ’s Resurrection is approaching and Transcarpathians are already beginning to prepare holiday baskets for blessing. For every skillful hostess or host, this process is a special and very important ritual, but also costly, because the price of main Easter specialties this year has significantly increased.

Particularly noticeable, ham and sausage have risen by 20-40 hryvnia. Now, in Uzhgorod, their prices range from 130 to 160 UAH per kilogram.   

The price of farm eggs has also significantly increased – 3-3.5 hryvnia apiece. If you buy in a shop, it is better to do it in supermarkets, that offer special holiday discount. Thus, one egg now costs less than one hryvnia, while at the market it is still 1.3-1.5 hryvnia.

Milk costs 15 UAH per liter, butter – up to 50 UAH per lump, depending on the quality and manufacturer, homemade wine – 20 UAH per liter.

Traditionally, Transcarpathians put into the basket beets and horseradish, the latter symbolizes strength and fortitude. However, this food is quite expensive – about 12 hryvnia per 400 grams of grated beets and 15 hryvnia per 200 grams of horseradish.

The main attribute of Easter – cake – will cost at least 30 hryvnia. There is plenty of them on the shelves of supermarkets with different flavors (almond, coconut) and shapes ("Easter lamb"). 

All that must be put into a wicker basket. If you’d like to buy one, you should know that the choice is not too wide. The price of a basket ranges from 60 to 200 UAH depending on size. You can also buy a small basket for a child, it will cost 20 to 60 UAH. ​​Easter baskets are also sold in supermarkets – the average one is about 140 UAH.

Prices for holiday candles remained at the level of the last year – at the market, traditional one costs 20-25, egg-shaped – 15 UAH. However, people do not buy them, the seller admits. She says, people try to save, so they use ones from the last year.

But, even though Easter treats are rather expensive, Transcarpathians do not seem to be deterred by that. One way or another, the tradition of basket consecration in church and family gathering at the table will definitely survive this economic crisis.