Prices for the most important socially significant goods are under control - Ministry of Trade of Belarus

February 10, Vitebsk / Sergei Kochetov - BELTA /. The state controls and constantly monitors the situation with prices for the most important socially significant goods. This was stated by the Minister of Trade of Belarus Valentin Chekanov today during a reception of citizens in Vitebsk, BELTA correspondent reports. "It cannot be said that prices for these goods will not rise, but they will rise much slower and under state control," the minister noted, emphasizing that this concerns socially significant goods. As for other types of goods, free pricing is in effect in Belarus. Meanwhile, the growth of food prices is a global trend today. "If in neighboring countries the price, for example, for sugar is higher than in Belarus, then the export of goods begins, which in turn forces us to make a decision to raise prices," explained Valentin Chekanov. The same can be said about buckwheat, the price increase of which concerned a resident of Vitebsk who called the direct line. The head of the Ministry of Trade explained that Belarusian buckwheat meets the republic's needs for this type of groats by 30%, the rest is imported, and in the main countries where it is cultivated (Russia, Ukraine), due to weather conditions, there was a shortfall, and they are forced to take measures to protect their market. "Unfortunately, when we see an increase in the price of any type of goods in neighboring countries, in order to prevent its uncontrolled export from our market, we are also forced to raise prices, but at the same time, in terms of price levels, we are not catching up with Russia, Ukraine, or the Baltic countries," noted Valentin Chekanov. He also added that the saturation of retail chains with goods in all regions of the country is under the constant control of the Ministry of Trade. -0-