Soaring Apple Prices in Some Stores Linked to Depleted Sea Shipments and Shift to Air Freight

Apple prices soar in Chukotka as sea shipments stall and air freight spikes costs

The recent spike in apple prices at certain retailers in Chukotka is tied to seasonal factors ahead of the navigation period, the regional government told TASS.

Stocks from maritime deliveries are running low, and some goods are now being transported by air—a significantly more expensive option. "Under a food subsidy program launched on the orders of Chukotka Governor Vladislav Kuznetsov, apples are sold at 293 rubles per kilogram across all settlements except Anadir and Ugolnye Kopi," government officials explained.

Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Yury Trutnev had called on the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East to clarify the pricing situation in Anadir. Authorities emphasized that the issue is temporary, noting that costs traditionally stabilize once the navigation season resumes and sea shipments restart. For northern regions, logistics remain the primary driver of pricing.