By decree of the Cabinet of Ministers from 28 December to 31 December 2023 the term of special regime for export of foodstuff included in the minimum consumer basket as well as goods used in their manufacture was prolonged.

To prevent possible negative consequences in the logistics and supply chain of foodstuffs on the markets of neighbouring countries, the government adopted a decision aimed at ensuring the country’s food security in March this year. A decision on measures to regulate the exports of some basic foodstuffs, included in the minimal consumer basket, as well as goods used for their production, was adopted. The export of goods included in this list is carried out on the basis of positive conclusions of the Ministry of Economy, based on the forecast of the resources available in the country and the provision of the population with appropriate goods in the short term.

The government provides no information about the impact of this decision on consumer market saturation and food market prices. According to the State Statistics Committee, food prices have increased by 20% on average this year. In turn, the State Customs Committee reported a 19.9% average increase in import prices for animal products, 19.1% for agricultural plants, 37.6% for vegetable oils and fats and 21.6% for ready-to-eat foodstuffs.

At that, the government also lacks aggregated information about the dynamics in the exports of goods subject to the restrictive regime. According to the SCC, 1,054,060 kg of butter was exported during the first 10 months of the year, as compared to 2,670 kg during the same period in 2021. Between January and October this year, a kilo of butter in the country rose 7.4%, according to SSC calculations

Source: Turan News Agency