By Resolution No. 60 of December 4, 2017, the Ministry of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade established the maximum minimum prices and a trade markup for white sugar. The document was published today on the National Legal Internet Portal, BELTA reports.
"The resolution introduces temporary state regulation for crystalline white sugar by establishing maximum minimum prices and a maximum trade markup of 15% for white sugar," the ministry explained.
Thus, the ex-works price (excluding VAT) for crystalline white sugar produced (imported) and (or) sold in Belarus for purposes not related to industrial processing is set at Br1.19 per 1 kg, and the ex-delivery price (excluding VAT) is Br1.22 per 1 kg. The retail price (including VAT) is set at Br1.5 per 1 kg.
The ex-works price (excluding VAT) for crystalline white sugar produced (imported) and (or) sold in Belarus for industrial processing and packed in 50 kg bags or flexible intermediate bulk containers is set at Br1.1 per 1 kg, and the ex-delivery price (excluding VAT) is Br1.12 per 1 kg; for sugar sold in bulk, the prices are Br1.06 and Br1.08, respectively.
As noted by the ministry, Appendix No. 19 to the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union defines the possibility for member states to introduce state price regulation in commodity markets not in a state of natural monopoly, based on national security considerations. And in accordance with Resolution of the Council of Ministers of March 10, 2004 No. 252 "On the Concept of National Food Security of the Republic of Belarus," sugar is one of the parameters of national food security.
By Decree of February 25, 2011 No. 72 "On Certain Issues of Price (Tariff) Regulation in the Republic of Belarus," the Ministry of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade was vested with the authority to regulate prices (tariffs) for socially significant goods (works, services) according to the list determined by the Council of Ministers.