At Winnipeg's Russian Deli Market on Portage Avenue, owner Micheal Sverdlov, stocks shelves with imported goods from his home country.
His costs have remained the same but in Russia, storeowners and consumers, have begun to feel the pinch.
"They're really worried about it,” Sverdlov said.
Russia's currency, the ruble, has gone into freefall -- losing nearly half its value since January.
That will make it more expensive for businesses in that country to bring in products from other nations.
In anticipation of a spike in prices, Sverdlov said his friends who live in Russia have started stockpiling consumer goods, mainly electronics.
“Prices will be increased,” Sverdlov said.
“They can't buy food for a long time but they try to spend as much as they can for something which will be used for a while."
Canadians and other import players in the Russian-based Kontinental Hockey League, who get paid in rubles, stand to lose half their salary.
"The average player in the KHL's making in Canadian funds $500,000-$600,000,” said hockey agent Darryl Wolski.
“So now, if the ruble drops 50 percent, or 45 percent where it's at right now - all of a sudden that player's making $250,000-$300,000.”
Wolski said the situation means players may choose to go elsewhere next season.
He said players may think twice about playing in Russia, and seek opportunities in Finland, Sweden, or Switzerland.
The problem stems from a drop in oil prices, globally.
But one expert said Russia's troubles won't have much effect in Canada.
University of Manitoba economics professor Fletcher Baragar said goods sent to Russia account for less than one per cent of Canada's total exports.
“Russia, of course, is a big economy for sure,” Baragar said.
“But the economic ties with Canada are relatively small, relatively minuscule."
Russian imports are also minimal.
If anything, Baragar said, vodka may eventually get cheaper in Canada.
But so far prices haven't changed.
