Stabilization of the food price situation and prevention of price hikes is controlled by the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food. Mykola Prysyazhnyuk, Ukraine's Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food, said at the teleconference of the Cabinet that in 2013, consumer food prices fell by 0.7%, including prices for fruits, buckwheat, butter, wheat flour, meat and fish that dropped significantly, the Information-Analytical Bulletin of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine informs.
However, according to him, the prices for fruit and vegetables were up in some regions. The local authorities that failed to fill storages with products and ensure favorable conditions for trade for producers will be held responsible. This is the reason for the situation in some regions where a manufacturer incurs losses whereas retailers receive super profits.
Prysyazhnyuk noted that successful agricultural performance in 2013 is a strong evidence of the stable food situation in the country.
In 2013, according to the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, production of vegetables in Ukraine exceeds the needs of the population. In particular, potatoes - by 3.5 times, beet - 1.7, carrots - 1.4, cabbage and onions - 1.3 times. The overproduction of vegetables in Ukraine (the production of vegetables in the country is about 11-12 million tons with domestic consumption of 7.5 million tons annually) allows to adjust and significantly cut consumer prices. For example, the price of potatoes in Ukraine is lower than that in Russia by nearly 30%, cabbage and carrots – by 1.5 times.
