MARCH: rise in prices for foodstuffs is associated with an increase in world prices for raw materials and supplies

February 18, Minsk. The increase in food prices is due to the increase in production costs due to the increase in world prices for raw materials and materials, BelTA learned from the press service of the Ministry of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade.

In January 2022, the annual increase in consumer prices amounted to 10.4%, compared to the previous month, inflation was at the level of 1.5%, which corresponds to the average price dynamics in the first quarter. The I quarter annually accounts for about 40% of the increase in the total increase in prices for the year. "The main impact on the increase in consumer prices in annual terms was the rise in the cost of food products, mainly meat and dairy and fruit and vegetable groups. This factor is due to an increase in the cost of production of goods due to an increase in world prices for raw materials and materials," MART said.

In January 2022, the annual increase in world food prices slowed down somewhat, but remained at an elevated level - 17.5%, including for meat - 15.4%, milk - 16.8%, cereals - 10.6% , vegetable oils - by 31.7%, sugar - by 17.8%. Prices continue to rise on the global fertilizer market: in January they rose from 9.1% to 219.4% in annual terms. In Russia, the main trading partner, food prices rose by 11.1% over the year.

As for prices in Belarus, meat and meat products have risen in price by almost 16.3% over 12 months, milk and dairy products - by 7.3%. The increase in prices for fruits and vegetables amounted to 23.8% in annual terms. At the same time, there is a decrease in prices for sugar and salt by 0.8% and 1.2%, respectively; slowdown in price growth for margarine to 4.8% (14% in December 2021), medicines - to 9.6% (14.2%), vegetable oil - to 15.4% (19.9%), tobacco products - up to 8.7% (13%).

In January, compared to the previous month, there was an increase in the price of goods that are not produced in the country or are produced in insufficient quantities: cereals and legumes increased in price by 1.3%, shoes - by 1.4%, fish and fish products - by 1.8%, fruits and vegetables - by 6.7% and 13.3% respectively. There is an increase in prices for confectionery and oils and fats (by 1.8%), meat and meat products (by 1.5%), milk and dairy products (by 0.9%).

In January, for the third month in a row, the annual growth of prices (tariffs) in the field of permanently regulated pricing slows down: 8.8% in January (9% a month earlier). In January, the prices for vodka and tobacco products increased by 1.5% (compensation for the increase in excise rates). Tariffs for the services of preschool institutions were planned to be increased by 9% (due to the adjustment of norms for spending on food), as well as for gas supply - by 1.1%. Tariffs for communication services went up by 3.2% (due to the termination of discounts for cellular communication services), for medical services - by 1.3%.