Bread, milk, vegetables: what discounts and for whom have been extended in Belarus

20 December, Minsk . The Ministry of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade and representatives of large retail chains have signed an additional agreement on discounts on a number of goods for vulnerable categories of the population, BelTA has learned.

The agreement was concluded in January 2022 and then extended several times. Since the agreement is expiring again, it was decided to sign another additional agreement for the first quarter of 2025.

A 10% discount is given to pensioners, disabled people, large families and low-income groups of the population. The goods it applies to include bread, flour , oatmeal, pearl barley, dry pasta, beef , pork , chicken carcasses, including broilers, milk , kefir .sour cream ,cottage cheese , eggs , apples, vegetables and other products.
"The discount has been valid for more than two years, during this time more than 2 million people have received cards. The promotion has proven popular. The amount of the discount provided by trade organizations has already approached the round figure of Br100 million. The list of goods for which such discounts are provided is quite wide, these are the most popular goods. This promotion once again confirms that Belarus is a social state that cares about those citizens who, for a number of reasons, cannot provide for themselves in full," said the Minister of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade Alexei Bogdanov.

According to him, the agreement is extended quarterly, since in the conditions of price regulation it is necessary to carefully analyze the economic state of the trade link in order to avoid losses. "Today, this work has been done, and we thank the Belarusian retail chains for their willingness to lend a shoulder and continue to participate in this promotion," the minister noted.
Since the beginning of the year, retail turnover has grown by almost 12%. "This positive trend allows us to generate revenue that covers the costs of the retail chain for providing a social discount," added Alexey Bogdanov.

Executive Director of the Association of Retail Networks of Belarus Natalia Shablinskaya emphasized that retail chains focus on customer requests in their work. "Understanding their social responsibility, the chains are extending discounts for vulnerable categories. This decision was made by all 14 chains participating in the agreement. We try not to deviate from our promises and give people the opportunity to make all the necessary purchases at reasonable prices," she noted. Photo by Vitaly Pivovarchik