Moscow - Post Report Question and Answers
How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Everything is readily available and, mostly, not expensive. Some of the American and European versions are harder to get but grocery stores and everything else in Moscow is well stock with goods from Turkey, China, and other places. - Dec 2023
Grocery stores had a lot more than I was expecting. Basics were always available, and in the summer produce was wonderful with green markets throughout town. In the winter the fruit selection was seasonal. You could buy berries in December, but you would pay. There are many grocery stores throughout town. I wouldn't talk to anyone who hasn't been to Moscow recently as the selection in grocery stores now is fantastic whereas ten years ago it wasn't; so outdated information should be avoided. - Mar 2019
Almost everything is available generally at lower than US prices, except (for me) good cheese, though some is available. The US commissary does a good job in filling in any gaps. - Nov 2018
We brought our favorites. However you can find many European brands. Many grocery stores to chose from. They have Metro which is very comparable to Costco at home. The cost of groceries can be high for certain products. - Oct 2017
Not like the US but you can find most staple items here. Commissary has US goods at higher cost. - Sep 2016
Plenty of grocery stores - shopping is a hassle because of traffic and crowds. Many people use a grocery delivery service. - May 2016
This is a consumables post, however, you can find pretty much everything you need on the local economy. However, sanctions have been placed against Russia by the EU, U.S., and Canada, so availability of some items can be difficult to find. Fresh fruit and vegetables are available but they do not last long and you really have to look them over because some stores sell rotten fruits and veggies. - Jun 2015
For our family of two, we would spend an average of US$60/$75 per week on groceries from the Embassy Liberty Store or the local supermarkets. I will say that unlike in the U.S. you do have to "shop around" for everything you need. For example, Billa had better fruits and veggies, but was always out of chicken so we needed to go to Perekrestok. I used to think Moscow was expensive until I got to our new post and it's double that for our grocery bill each week! - Oct 2014
You can get almost anything here, but groceries and household supplies are expensive. Moscow is just an expensive city. - Feb 2014
Expensive - you can buy almost anything you want in Moscow but often for a price. There is a small commissary at the Embassy as well but it's also quite expensive compared to U.S. prices. - Nov 2013
The Embassy commissary has a decent stock, though pricey. Most basic products (bread, milk, eggs, etc) are available in Russian grocery stores. - Jul 2013
Pretty much everything is available, albeit probably not the brands you're used to seeing back home. Groceries are not that much more than in the D.C. area. Go to the big chains (Auchan, Metro) for better prices than at the smaller stores. I haven't been able to find Greek-style yogurt or decent bagels, but pretty much everything else is here. - Jul 2013
Groceries are very high. We buy whatever we can through Amazon. We have to get anything liquid or alcoholic locally due to the shipping rules. The Embassy has a commissary you can use with a membership. It has a pretty good variety considering its size but it is also expensive. - Jan 2013
The embassy commissary gets stuff from Germany and doubles the cost to account for expenses. Stuff costs more in the local grocery stores as well. You can save money if you have good language skills and shop like a Russian, but that isn't 95% of the people working here. - Mar 2012
There are several types of grocery stores -- tiny produkti, huge 'gypermarkets', and the prices vary a lot. You can get good produce in the markets scattered around, for a good price. We order a few things from Amazon or Drugstore.com, but mostly buy local stuff. We're not trying to recreate our US kitchen, though. If you are, it's much more expensive. You can find most things you need here, though. Peanut butter has been the only real challenge, and that's available at the Embassy commissary, it's just a bit costly. - May 2011
Groceries are expensive, as is everything else. - Jan 2011
Groceries and household supplies are available but expensive. Moscow does offer Auchan (the French hypermarket chain), Metro (a German version of Costco), and Ikea. Prices are usually dramatically higher for all except local goods. - Jul 2010
Again, everything is very expensive here. There is a small commissary at the embassy. - May 2010
I shopped at places like Auchan at the Mega Mall, Ramstore, and a few other small grocery stores locally. The food was relatively cheap and decent. Most dairy and milk products are pasteurized, and you get used to yogurt starting at 5% fat. If you want certain American products, or hard to find produce (like pineapples, mangoes, etc., then I would shop at Stockmann's and Globus Gourmet. I preferred them because most of the clerks speak English and they have great customer service. The embassy has a small commissary that stocks American supplies, like laundry detergent and decent toilet paper, but it's limited to the shipment times. Good things run out fast! - May 2010
There are three levels; nice and expensive, on the lower side of acceptable, which is OK, and cheap, which is cheap, but probably better to avoid. It takes a little time to find places like the market mentioned above, but it is really worth it (and fun to shop at).Processed foods are the staple, even in grocery stores; its possible to shop well, but it takes some effort/knowledge. - Feb 2010
Good. Many supermarket chains abound in Moscow, starting with the discount chain Perekrostock, then the mid-level Sedmoy Kontinent, and finally the upscale (and expensive) Azbuka Vkusa chain. For the times when you really want to spoil yourself, go to a gourmet store like Eliseevskiy's (at Pushkin square) or Gastronom Nr. 1 inside GUM department store on Red Square. Perekrostok prices are slightly higher thanin the U.S. and all the other options are considerably more; Azbuka Vkusa prices are roughly equivalent to Whole Foods. You will have trouble finding good cuts of beef, but you will find much fresh veal, fish, pork, etc. This is a really tough town for a vegetarian, Russians have little experience with or tolerance for vegetarianism. - Jan 2010
A littel higher than back home, but not by much. There is a Metro for bulk buying and slightly better prices. And there is another chain like it (Ashan) that is a Darwinian survival contest, but cheaper prices yet. Metro is more than enough for me! I value my safety! Regular markets are fine too. And the vegetable and fruit markets are great and have good prices and fresh, fresh food (in season only, for the most part, but great food). - Nov 2009
You can get everything here. Except maybe certain high-end brands of shampoo. Everything else, from L'occitan to Yves Rocher is available. Raspberries in winter at a fancy grocery store will cost $15, or you can get wonderful seasonal produce at the rynoks on every corner. Diet Pepsi, every kind of dairy product ever conceived...some items may not be quality you are use to...but you can probably find a nicer one somewhere, if you are willing to shop around and pay more...just like at home. - Oct 2009
Groceries are almost all imported, and are generally more expensive than in the states. Lots of European brands, but you pay for the quality. - Aug 2009
You can get almost all fruits and vegetables you need. Good meat is harder to find, though we got better at it. If possible, avoid going to big mega markets on Saturday because the crowds and lines are huge. - Aug 2009
You can buy everything, but good fruit in the winter is very expensive. - Jul 2009
Grocery stores are everywhere. - Sep 2008
There is a small commissary on the embassy with American products. Selection is good but prices are high. There are grocery stores within walking distance of most homes... Ramstore, Perekristock, Achan, etc. - Aug 2008
