Russians Report Majority Completing Winter Assignments, According to KP.RU
In the heart of Russia, a tradition that once defined the country's culinary landscape is slowly fading. A significant portion of the population has been increasingly turning away from home cooking and home food preservation, favouring ready-made and convenience foods instead.
According to recent data from Russian retail and food industry sources, the sales of ready-made foods in Russia grew sharply by 35.6% in 2024, indicating a marked consumer trend towards buying finished dishes rather than preparing or preserving food at home. This shift implies that fewer Russians are currently engaged in traditional home-preserved food practices compared to those who have stopped doing it or have never done it.
A poll conducted by KP.RU among its website subscribers across various platforms, including VKontakte, Odnoklassniki, Telegram, and Viber, revealed some fascinating insights into this changing landscape. More than half of the 6,300 participants prepare for winter by making preserves in summer, with Russians making preserves from a variety of fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, and berries. Some respondents freeze berries, roasted peppers, eggplants, pureed tomatoes, zucchini, and green beans for winter.
However, 26% of those polled have never made or do not make preserves, with some not knowing how and others not wanting to. Some participants find joy in the tradition of making preserves, while others see it as requiring a lot of effort. Interestingly, some Russians have specially trained people, like their mothers or mothers-in-law, to make preserves.
The growing demand for ready-made foods has also had an impact on the demand for canning jars. As more people opt for store-bought preserves, the demand for canning jars has decreased. On the other hand, for those who still engage in home preservation, the demand for canning jars has increased due to people making preserves.
One participant expressed that growing a garden and making preserves for winter is a relic of the past, not a modern activity. Another participant, however, found joy in the tradition, describing it as a cherished part of their summer routine.
Despite the declining trend in home preservation, the love for traditional Russian foods remains strong. As more detailed sociological or survey data specific to home preservation practices in Russia become accessible, they would be needed to give an exact numeric comparison. Until then, the shift towards ready-made foods continues to shape the culinary landscape of Russia.
- Despite the increment in the sales of ready-made foods, a significant number of Russians continue to preserve food at home, with some even freezing vegetables, fruits, mushrooms, and berries for the winter.
- The demand for canning jars has seen a drop as more people opt for store-bought preserves, but for those who engage in home preservation, the need for canning jars has increased due to the prevalence of homemade preserves.
