The demand of consumers for a "fair price" for meat includes its inclusion in the list of basic consumer goods with fixed prices, which cannot be raised without prior official agreement from the Ministry of Economy, has become an objective of discussion. According to consumers, they noted various percentage increases in meat prices over short periods, as well as price discrepancies between different sales points, regardless of the fact that it comes from the same country and has the same quality.
An economist expert pointed out the difficulty of including meat in the list of goods with fixed prices due to its basic import nature, noting that prices for imported meat are influenced by such external factors as epidemics, increased delivery and storage prices, availability of feed and water in the country of origin, and other factors that do not allow stabilizing prices for a long term. Consumers note significant differences in meat prices at different sales points, even if it has the same origin and quality. This draws attention from experts, talking about the difficulties of regulating prices for imported meat within the country.
Consumers emphasize the necessity of including meat in the list of goods with fixed prices to avoid production increases, which according to their opinions, become regular. Specialists call for the diversification of supplies and a reduction of trade control to prevent the rise of prices for meat due to possible abuse by some sales points.
Recently, the Ministry of Economy announced the introduction of new price-formation policies for basic consumer goods, including meat. The policy entails strict price regulation for such products as rice, eggs, milk, poultry meat, bread, and others. This is aimed at market stabilization and ensuring quality goods at affordable prices, while at the same time controlling price changes among them. Specialists point out the relative threats of possible price increases for meat in the future due to global factors, such as an outbreak of animal diseases in Germany, and call for a reduction in measures to control price formation.
