Prices have risen for the month, but the government reported a decrease for the year.

      On April 16, a release titled "Kirovstat reported a decrease in prices for a number of important goods" was published on the government website. It cheerfully states: compared to March 2025, rice (-24.7%), millet (-5.4%), sugar (-4.3%), semolina (-3.4%), pork (-2%), as well as potatoes (-33.7%), cabbage (-30%), and oranges (-20%) have become cheaper. And electric kettles (-9.7%). A completely positive picture.

      After reading the government release, we decided to refer to the primary source — the official statement from Kirovstat dated April 16. And for good reason.

      We open it and read in the very first paragraph: "In March, prices for goods and services in the Kirov region increased on average by 0.6%, since the beginning of the year — by 2.8%." That is, the overall trend is growth, not decline.

      Looking further, in the section "Among other observed food products": "Prices for salt increased by 6.9%, sugar by 6.6%, eggs by 5.6%, millet by 4.8%, wheat flour by 3.7%, pasta by 3.2%, and semolina by 2.3%."

      Now compare this with the government list. The same sugar, millet, flour, and semolina that are mentioned in the government release as "cheaper" (over the year) actually increased in price by 2-7% in March compared to February. Another proof that the official statement from Kirovstat and its interpretation by the government are two very different things.

      The government chose to report annual dynamics (March 2026 to March 2025), while simply ignoring the monthly increase. Formally, the numbers do not lie — some goods have indeed become cheaper than a year ago. But this does not negate the fact that over the last month they have become more expensive. And the average consumer is much more concerned about the price "today" compared to "yesterday" than to "a year ago."

      The only coincidence is electric kettles. Both agencies report that they have become cheaper. However, the government mentions a decrease over the year of 9.7%, while Kirovstat reports a decrease over the month of 3.1%. Different periods — different numbers, but this nuance is, of course, not explained in the government release.

      In summary: over the month, from February to March, prices increased by 0.6%, and since the beginning of the year — by 2.8%. At the same time, over the year (March 2026 to March 2025), a decrease is indeed observed for certain items, but this does not negate the fact of monthly growth. The government, apparently, consciously chooses a favorable comparison period, omitting the current negative dynamics.