Why are portions of prepared meals getting smaller in Russia? Rising costs may be only part of the answer.

Portion sizes for prepared food in Russia fell by 10.3% over the past year to 266 grams (about 9.4 ounces), according to calculations by the analytics company Ntec, as cited by Kommersant.

Prepared food remains the fastest-growing category in grocery retail. Retail stores account for about a quarter of the prepared food market, and that share could reach 40% by 2030, according to Stanislav Bogdanov, chairman of the Association of Retail Companies.

Profit margins in the category are very low, however. Retailers have to invest in central kitchens, packaging, and logistics, while 14% of products are written off because of their short shelf life.

Production costs are rising, but producers are finding it harder to pass them on to consumers. Intense competition and weakening demand are forcing them to hold down prices. As a result, producers are choosing to reduce portion sizes, experts said.

Smaller portions may reflect both shrinkflation and changing demand, the experts said. Russians buying prepared food have increasingly been choosing small snacks such as onigiri, sandwiches, and hot dogs. In the first half of 2026, sales of these snacks rose by 48% in value, while sales of main dishes and salads grew more slowly — by 16% and 14%, respectively.