Whatever the year in the post-Soviet space, whatever historical or weather changes have occurred, there is only one thing for sure:
food. Jokes are jokes, but in most cases this statement takes place.
Why is that? There are several factors at once: macroeconomics, microeconomics, various business agreements between supplier countries and so on. In short, the market and politics. But what does that mean in simple words?
In Russia, since the beginning of 2021, poultry meat and eggs have risen in price by 6%. Manufacturers offered retail chains buying goods to raise its cost by 10%. In addition, there was a rise in the price of such traditional vegetables for the region as potatoes, carrots, cabbage. Of course, the final price will be paid by the end user – that is, we.
Here's what he says.
Expert of the HSE Development Centre Institute:
Rising prices
fruit It was significant at the end of 2020. It was during this period that the seasonal consumption boom began. The situation was aggravated by the ban on imports from Georgia, Azerbaijan and southern Armenia in December-November due to the pandemic.
Today's concerns about
meat They are associated with bird and swine flu outbreaks. For the same reason, egg prices are expected to rise. Some manufacturers complain of huge financial losses and warn of possible price increases. To this should be added the weakening of the ruble and increased costs of imported feed and medicines for livestock and poultry.
There are also problems in the market.
pastry. As retail sugar prices fell, a decision was made to raise wholesale prices for producers to offset losses. This led to the fact that the finished product has risen in price from 20 to 40% at cost. The result, I think, is already known to everyone. The end customer will pay.
According to Vadim Novikov, economist, senior researcher at RANEPA:
The annual increase in the price of goods has a reason. In fact, there are several. First of all, there is
supply-side. For example, vegetables such as potatoes, carrots and so on will always be at their peak in countries like Ukraine, Russia or Belarus. That is why prices are relatively stable. There is some price increase, but it is due to other factors. But citrus fruits will always rise with the arrival of cold weather. Because of the increased demand.
Secondly, we must not forget about
trader. For example, Russia, which now has difficult relations with many countries with which it traditionally had market relations. Take Ukraine and Georgia for example. Things are relatively calm with Belarus. They also play a role.
sanctions. But, in fact, the increase in the cost of products leads to
sanctionsThey don’t let people buy what they need. And increasing the price of substitute products at times.
The third factor is the banal decline of the national currency. In the long run, this applies to all countries of the former Union. Due to the fall of the ruble or hryvnia, buying goods from other countries is becoming less profitable. Naturally, there is nothing central banks can do about it, and the currency has been falling for a year, as has the price rise.
Outcome
In order for prices to rise in our countries, it is not necessary to weave the image of an external enemy threatening from all sides. In fact, there are other completely real factors that explain everything. Unfortunately, the average resident can not influence the situation. It's all about politicians. And we hope that soon everything will improve, and for an average salary in the country it will be possible to live with dignity and even travel to other countries.