Russians embrace outdoor living as dacha season sparks record sales in 2026
Spring 2026 brought a surge in outdoor living as Russians prepared for warmer weather. Record-breaking sales in gardening, barbecues and camping gear marked the start of the dacha season. The trend was driven by rising temperatures and a growing interest in homegrown food and leisure activities. The first signs of change appeared early in the year. By the end of March, visits to gardening forums had climbed by 18% compared to 2025. Interest in growing vegetables and berries also spiked, with online searches in the Far East more than doubling since January.
By April, demand for gardening tools and seeds was already up by 65%. Then, in early May, plant and seed purchases reached twice the volume of the previous year. This rush coincided with the peak of dacha preparations, as families stocked up for the season ahead. Barbecue sales followed a similar pattern. Marketplaces reported a 47% increase in grill-related purchases by late May. The busiest day arrived on May 2, when temperatures across European and central Russia topped 20°C. On that day alone, grills and barbecues flew off shelves in record numbers. Gas grills saw the sharpest rise, with sales jumping 156% compared to May 2025. Traditional charcoal grills also doubled in popularity. Meanwhile, camping and picnic gear sales grew 3.5 times higher than the previous spring. Other outdoor products experienced dramatic growth too. Pool sales surged more than tenfold, while sauna and bathhouse supplies rose fourfold. Garden furniture purchases tripled, reflecting a broader shift toward home-based leisure.
The spring spending boom highlights a clear trend: more Russians are investing in outdoor spaces. Higher demand for gardening, barbecues and camping gear suggests a strong preference for homegrown food and open-air activities. With dacha season now in full swing, these purchases are set to shape summer routines across the country.
