Many Romanians are preparing to welcome Christmas with a budget for austerity. Since everything has become more expensive compared to last year, they are shopping in smaller quantities and opting for cheaper goods, BTA saw on site.
Economists attribute everything to inflation and calculate that the holiday table will be 10 percent more expensive compared to 2024.
„Everything is more expensive. Pork tenderloin, for example, has reached 40 lei (16 lv.) per kilogram,“ pensioner George Damian tells BTA while looking at the meat counter in a large supermarket in the center of Bucharest.
“Last year I spent about 850 lei (340 lv.) for the holiday meal, now it will definitely cost me more“, complains another customer.
A recent survey cited by local media shows that Romanians will spend up to 500 lei (200 lv.) on the Christmas meal. Only 16 percent are ready to spend 1,000 lei (400 lv.).
“The price increase is not felt as much if you buy smaller quantities. But we are a big family, I have to prepare a festive table for 20 people“, commented Nicoleta Lupsan.
Meat, wine and kozunak are the most purchased goods for Christmas, a BTA investigation found. Romanians rarely reach for fruit, which has increased in price by between 8 and 15 percent.
Not only the table will be more modest, but also the decorations. An installation with 100 LEDs, 8 meters long, which last year was sold for 15 lei (6 lv), this year costs 20 lei (8 lv).
Less than a week before Christmas, however, large chains are making discounts on festive decorations by up to 50 percent. Thus, an artificial Christmas tree can be purchased for 179 lei (72 lv), instead of the initially announced 399 (160 lv).