KYIV, Feb 3 – Energy price hikes have led to a crisis in the restaurant market in Ukraine, Olha Nasonova, co-founder of the National Restaurant Association of Ukraine, has said.

"Although we all expected difficulties with the heating season, utility bills turned out to be a shock for many. Establishments with an area of more than a thousand square meters are forced to pay UAH 500,000-800,000 per month for electricity and gas. Last year, during the cold months, the figures were two times lower. As a result, a lot of people are thinking about moving, selling or simply closing establishments," she said.