Belarusian Shoppers Baffled as Local Apples Become Luxury Item, Outpricing Bananas

MINSK, Belarus – Shoppers in Belarus are expressing concern over the soaring prices of local produce, with a recent viral video highlighting how apples, traditionally a staple, are now significantly more expensive than imported bananas. The video, filmed in a Soligorsk supermarket, shows Granny Smith apples priced at 9.59 Belarusian Rubles per kilogram, while fresh bananas are listed at 4.90 Rubles per kilogram. The disparity has sparked widespread debate among consumers. "Looking at the prices in stores, you might think bananas grow in Belarus and apples in Ecuador," commented the video's author, Petrovich. Many online users attributed the high cost of apples to a poor harvest. "Did you see when the gardens bloomed in May in Belarus? At -7 degrees Celsius in May, all the flowering of gardens in Belarus ended," one commenter explained, adding that "this is why apples are like this and all fruits and vegetables are at very high prices." Other factors cited by the public include the cost of labor and the impact of sanctions on imports. "No, it's just that the cost of labor in Ecuador is much lower than in Belarus. And also, the greedy policy of chain store owners works here," another user suggested. The situation has led some to lament the affordability of fresh produce, with one individual stating, "From apples at 9 rubles, I realized yesterday that my pension won't be enough for vitamins, only for medicine." The ongoing discussion reflects a broader concern among Belarusians about rising food costs and their impact on daily life.

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«Цена вызвала настоящий шок»

Белорусы отмечают, что бананы и даже манго стоят гораздо дешевле яблок.