The government will not set food price limits, - Shmyhal

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine does not plan to intervene in the market, set limits on the price of food products or markups, but will only indirectly try to balance them.

This was stated during a press conference by Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmygal, reports UNN.

“As for food prices. Are we living in a market economy or a planned one? Should the government regulate food prices or should the market regulate supply and demand? If we go to Europe, which is written in our Constitution, there is no price regulation by governments in Europe ... The government uses indirect tools, we really can use indirect tools, we use them, we conduct a dialogue at the level of the Ministry of Economy with networks, manufacturers, suppliers. We can stimulate production and increase supply. In particular, the 5-7-9 program can target individual manufacturers of something. We analyze prices in detail,” Shmyhal said.

He agreed that there is a rise in prices for certain products.

There is a natural increase in the price of eggs because producers have reduced production.

“Now we've had conversations with key grower groups … especially around the Easter holidays. Demand will grow, respectively, these things are also indirect methods …. are being balanced… Regarding the rise in prices for other products, there may be regulation through the introduction of EXPORT quotas, duties – this applies to grain, buckwheat and certain groups of products,” Shmygal said.

However, according to him, there is no critical, shock rise in food prices today.

“If we compare year to year and month to month, there are objective reasons in certain groups, we understand them, we know how to adjust them. For example, the resumption of the supply of eggs requires 2-3 weeks ... We will balance prices indirectly. The government does not plan to intervene in the market, set limits on food prices or markups,” he said.

agropolit.com