Food price hikes hit pensioners hard: many buy just a single carrot and an onion

Rising food prices have significantly reduced Romanians' grocery budgets, with pensioners feeling the impact most acutely, according to a Realitatea PLUS report. With small incomes that no longer cover all their expenses, many are buying only the bare essentials.

Prices have risen on nearly all products, from vegetables to everyday foodstuffs, and people fear they will no longer be able to stock up on their usual winter supplies.

Shopping reduced to the bare minimum

At markets, more and more customers are going home with very few items. One shopper said they had spent just 4 RON, all they could afford at the time: "I bought something, that's it, 4 RON." "That's all you could afford?" "Exactly, yes."

Winter supplies cut in half

Many people say they can no longer set aside the same quantities of preserves and other supplies as in previous years. One shopper explained: "Half of what I bought last year – you simply can't do more because prices have doubled across the board."

Small pensions insufficient after paying for medication and bills

Elderly people say their pensions are far too small to cope with rising costs. After paying for medication and utility bills, very little money is left for food: "Where would the money come from? Pensions are small, very small – not just small."

Traders confirm this situation. According to them, many pensioners buy just a few vegetables and leave: "They take one carrot, two, an onion, and that's it. They can't afford more – they have no money, out of 1,500 RON half goes to the doctor."

Across-the-board price increases

Shoppers are noticing price rises on almost all products at the markets, not just vegetables: "Very, very high – everything. All prices have shot up, from flowers to vegetables, everything we need on a daily basis."