Moscow's Christmas markets see less crowds due to rising inflation
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Russia’s rising inflation has led to a surge in the price of goods in the country, including that of real Christmas trees, resulting in less people visiting the once buzzing Christmas markets in Moscow.
Due to the expensive prices of real trees, those who cannot afford to buy them have resorted to buying plastic trees.
"We used to buy real trees. But now I will buy the plastic one. The price has increased. When you buy real trees, the leaves may fall and the tree cannot be used again. But the plastic tree can be re-decorated every year," Yelena Ivanova, a resident of Moscow, told Rudaw's Kamiz Shadadi.
The inflation rate in Russia increased to 7.50 percent in November from 6.70 percent in October of 2023, the highest since Moscow's military invasion of Ukraine, due to the collapse of the ruble.
The price of real trees has gone up by around seven percent this year.
Despite the surge in prices, many people still want to buy real Christmas trees to honor annual traditions.
"We buy real trees every year. This year, it is true, the price of trees has increased a bit, but I will buy them again. It is an old Russian tradition. I love my country very much and I respect Russian traditions,” said Vasilisa Sergeeva, another Moscow resident.
Around 60,000 trees are expected to be cut in Russia this year for decoration and selling purposes. Trees are brought to the capital from the forests around Moscow and the regions of Siberia.
Due to the expensive prices of real trees, those who cannot afford to buy them have resorted to buying plastic trees.
"We used to buy real trees. But now I will buy the plastic one. The price has increased. When you buy real trees, the leaves may fall and the tree cannot be used again. But the plastic tree can be re-decorated every year," Yelena Ivanova, a resident of Moscow, told Rudaw's Kamiz Shadadi.
The inflation rate in Russia increased to 7.50 percent in November from 6.70 percent in October of 2023, the highest since Moscow's military invasion of Ukraine, due to the collapse of the ruble.
The price of real trees has gone up by around seven percent this year.
Despite the surge in prices, many people still want to buy real Christmas trees to honor annual traditions.
"We buy real trees every year. This year, it is true, the price of trees has increased a bit, but I will buy them again. It is an old Russian tradition. I love my country very much and I respect Russian traditions,” said Vasilisa Sergeeva, another Moscow resident.
Around 60,000 trees are expected to be cut in Russia this year for decoration and selling purposes. Trees are brought to the capital from the forests around Moscow and the regions of Siberia.