Fish prices raised by secret order?
No fish has been imported to Belarus in 2009, the European Radio for Belarus has learned. The stock currently on sale was purchased before the devaluation of the Belarusian rubel. Nevertheless, the prices have soared. Moreover, the import of fish is monopolized by the state, while entrepreneurs were penalized for raising the prices. But who actually raised the prices??
In January, fish prices have soared by 20 percent. Importers say they acted according to the law and refer to an unknown circular.
Today, 300 grams of salmon in a supermarket in Minsk cost Br 19,000 ($7) against Br16,000 recently…
"Why has the fish price gone up?" the European Radio for Belarus asked a sale attendant. The woman said: "The prices were raised by 20 percent. We have a fixed extra charge. We can't exceed it. The price was raised by suppliers"
We posed the same question to importers.
ERB: Why have you raised fish costs?
“The fish is purchased in hard currency", Vitalur, one of major Belarusian suppliers told the European Radio for Belarus. Therefore, the prices were recalculated in accordance with a new exchange rate. However, the supplier admitted that the fish was not imported in January.
Vitalur: “The prices have naturally changed because this is an imported product. It is purchased for hard currency. We are not buying now; we are selling the stock imported earlier. We have simply recalculated the prices in accordance with the new rate"”
Is this rate speculation legal?
“Everything is in accordancre with instructions", the state-owned compnay Belryba which is controlled by the presidential administration, told the European Radio for Belarus:
"We have a permission. Our economists have a circular which mentions the reason of a higher price”.
However, they declined to elaborate on what kind of document they were talking about.
The government has recently announced a tender for companies that will be licensed to import fish products. The bidding took place, but the results have not announced yet. That's why there are no fresh deliveries. There is only the old fish at new prices.
Fish prices in Warsaw and Minsk (rubels)
Photo: photo.bymedia.net
In January, fish prices have soared by 20 percent. Importers say they acted according to the law and refer to an unknown circular.
Today, 300 grams of salmon in a supermarket in Minsk cost Br 19,000 ($7) against Br16,000 recently…
"Why has the fish price gone up?" the European Radio for Belarus asked a sale attendant. The woman said: "The prices were raised by 20 percent. We have a fixed extra charge. We can't exceed it. The price was raised by suppliers"
We posed the same question to importers.
ERB: Why have you raised fish costs?
“The fish is purchased in hard currency", Vitalur, one of major Belarusian suppliers told the European Radio for Belarus. Therefore, the prices were recalculated in accordance with a new exchange rate. However, the supplier admitted that the fish was not imported in January.
Vitalur: “The prices have naturally changed because this is an imported product. It is purchased for hard currency. We are not buying now; we are selling the stock imported earlier. We have simply recalculated the prices in accordance with the new rate"”
Is this rate speculation legal?
“Everything is in accordancre with instructions", the state-owned compnay Belryba which is controlled by the presidential administration, told the European Radio for Belarus:
"We have a permission. Our economists have a circular which mentions the reason of a higher price”.
However, they declined to elaborate on what kind of document they were talking about.
The government has recently announced a tender for companies that will be licensed to import fish products. The bidding took place, but the results have not announced yet. That's why there are no fresh deliveries. There is only the old fish at new prices.
Fish prices in Warsaw and Minsk (rubels)
|
Minsk, Radzivilouski supermarket |
Warsaw, Tesco |
|
|
Herring |
8300/6100 |
7300 |
|
Salmon (salted) |
55310/52000 |
34000 |
|
Salmon (frozen) |
29510 |
13370 |
|
Hake |
13490 |
9970 |
|
Perch |
20550 |
11300 |
|
Trout (frozen) |
33740 |
7300 |
Photo: photo.bymedia.net
