The results of the price monitoring on socially significant goods and services conducted by the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus showed that from January to September, the situation regarding the cost of food products remained generally stable. This was reported to BELTA by the press service of the FTUB following a round table discussion organised by the federation.
As noted by Elena Mankevich, Deputy Chairperson of the FTUB, the federation has been continuously monitoring prices for socially significant categories of goods and services in 137 district centres and large cities since 2017. The entire price formation chain, from producer to consumer, is analysed.
"The results of the price monitoring on socially significant goods and services conducted by the Federation of Trade Unions showed that over the 9-month period, the situation regarding the cost of food products remained generally stable – price increases were commensurate with the inflation rate," the press service noted. However, several product items experienced a noticeable price increase. For example, since the beginning of the year, prices for pork and poultry have risen. Compared to September of the previous year, the prices of vegetables such as beetroot, carrots, and cabbage, as well as millet groats, have significantly increased.
Representatives from the ministries of antimonopoly regulation and trade, agriculture and food, economy, health, the National Bank, the State Control Committee, retail chains, and the processing industry were invited to participate in the round table. Among the objective reasons cited for the price increase of meat products were the increased cost of feed, as the grain harvest in Belarus this year, like in neighbouring countries, is lower than last year. Other factors influencing the rise in meat product prices include increased costs for both producers and processors across other expense items, including energy resources, fuel, and wages.
At the same time, the Federation of Trade Unions insists that, despite all objective reasons, any increase in prices and tariffs must be proportionate to the growth of the population's income. Incidentally, in September of the current year, the government adopted an anti-inflation programme that takes into account this position of the national trade union centre. The aim of this programme is to create conditions for sustainable economic growth, develop competition, and reduce inflationary expectations.