The FPB analyzed how prices for domestic borscht set have changed over the year

March 28, MINSK. The Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus conducted a regular monthly monitoring of prices for basic foodstuffs most in demand by the population. This was reported to BelTA by the press service of the FPB.

Representatives of the national trade union center visited 117 districts and cities and recorded prices and availability of goods in 234 stores. People's control paid special attention to dairy products (butter, MILK, sour cream, cheeses, cottage cheese), eggs, MEAT, fish, cereals, vegetables and fruits. If the last few years the Federation of Trade Unions drew the attention of partners represented by the relevant ministries and departments to the increase in prices for cereals (millet and buckwheat were especially different), this time a fall in prices for them was recorded. Buckwheat, semolina, pearl barley, and millet fell in price within 2-4%. There has been a decline in prices for rice, instant coffee and black tea.

Price changes of less than 1% were recorded for stewed beef, canned fruits for children and diet food, chickens, dairy products, SUGAR, matches, and eggs.

The price for wheat FLOUR of the highest grade, oatmeal flakes, and boiled sausage increased by around 3%. Sausages and sausages of the first grade, beef liver began to cost a little higher.

Over the month, some types of fruit and vegetable products have also risen in price, seasonality has affected. Tomatoes increased in price by 31%, sweet peppers by 24%, onions - around 10%. At the same time, one can note a decrease in prices for cucumbers - 32%, potatoes - 3%, garlic - 1.5%. Prices for bananas, citrus fruits, and carrots remained at the same level.

The analysis of prices for fruit and vegetable products made it possible to note some differences in the regional context. Thus, the cost of a fruit and vegetable set, including 1 kg of cabbage, potatoes, carrots, beets, onions and apples, was (in ascending order): in the Grodno region - Br7.61, Brest - Br7.75, Minsk - Br8.16, Mogilev - Br8 ,23, Gomel - Br8.81, Vitebsk region - Br9.06, Minsk - Br9.40.

People's Control notes that these products are essential for pensioners, students and some other categories of citizens. Therefore, the Federation of Trade Unions declares that there should be uniform approaches to the formation of prices for fruits and vegetables. Especially taking into account the fact that for this off-season the stabilization funds were fully staffed and even with some reserve.

Trade unions have been drawing the attention of the government to the rise in prices for vegetables traditional for Belarusians for many years. With this in mind, the national trade union center analyzed what happened to the domestic borscht set over the past year.

It turned out that compared to March 2022, prices for certain types of vegetable products decreased. Cabbage - by 53.5%, potatoes - 32.4%, carrots - 26.3%, beets - 36.4%, garlic - 34.2%, apples - 5.4%.

"Decree No. 658 "On Stabilization Funds", which the government adopted in October last year, played a positive role in resolving this issue," the Federation of Trade Unions believes. Therefore, there is an agreement that, taking into account the practice of its application, following the results of this off-season period, upon receipt of reasonable proposals from interested parties, it will be corrected and continue its work."