The Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan issued explanations in connection with the concerns of the population regarding the increase in prices for basic food products included in the group of socially significant food products. This is reported by the press service of the department.
“Kazakhstan almost completely provides itself with foodstuffs. There are significant reserves for all NWPT, including impot-dependent items (sugar, chicken meat, cottage cheese). The Stable Funds store 27.4 thousand tons of socially significant foodstuffs, including flour, sugar, pasta, rice, etc. forward contracts for the supply of vegetable products have already been concluded. As of February 24 this year, 27.4 thousand tons of NWT are stored in the stable funds, including 11.5 thousand tons of flour, 3.8 thousand tons of sugar, 1.5 thousand tons of pasta, 0.8 thousand tons of rice, etc. Forward contracts for the supply of about 124.5 thousand have been concluded. tons of NWT, including for the supply of potatoes – 45.7 thousand tons, onions – 12.5 thousand tons, carrots – 13.2 thousand tons, etc. According to the Union of Retail Chains, retailers are provided with stocks of socially significant food products for at least 30 days. These reserves are formed at the expense of signed contracts, including within the framework of a revolving scheme. That is, goods are sold at fixed prices with a minimum trade premium. There are facts of an increase in prices for SZPT in stores at home. They are associated with cases of speculative price increases for foodstuffs from wholesalers. To prevent speculation, akimats are now working with trade participants,” the Ministry of Trade said in a statement.
According to the ministry, work continues to prevent price increases by strengthening administration and state control over trade surcharges and retro bonuses, as well as the timely introduction of marginal prices.
Akimats are conducting enhanced monitoring and control over compliance with the size of the trade allowance in the amount of no more than 15% and preventing the collection of remuneration by retail chains.
In this direction, the public is involved to monitor each outlet.
Weekly, under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister, within the framework of the work of the Digital Government office, the situation for each region in the context of goods is reviewed and operational measures are taken to stabilize and prevent growth
“We also inform you that in order to ensure the physical and price availability of the main types of foodstuffs, the Ministry of Agriculture is systematically working to saturate the domestic market with domestically produced goods. A plan has been developed to ensure the country’s food security until 2024. As a result of the implementation of this plan, it is planned to achieve 100% of domestic consumption at the expense of own production. (Currently, there is an import dependence on such types of goods as sugar, chicken meat, cottage cheese),” the Ministry of Trade added.