Putin attributes high food prices in Crimea to poor agriculture devt

SIMFEROPOL, Mar 18 (PRIME) – Crimea’s food prices are higher than in other Russian regions because of a poor development of agriculture rather than sanctions, President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with the people of Crimea on Monday.

“This is absolutely not due to sanctions, this is due to the level of agriculture in Crimea, this is why it is happening. Whereas winegrowing is developing, the other areas of agriculture are not, and this firstly leads to extra transportation costs and secondly, to the emergence of suppliers and layers of companies, they make money on that, they earn money,” Putin said.

Putin said that the only way to improve the situation is to raise transport accessibility, which will happen after the Crimea railway bridge is launched, and to develop the territory’s agriculture.

Several options to solve the fresh water problem in Crimea are being considered, the president said.

The Russian authorities can extend the number of regions and people groups entitled for a subsidized fare to Crimea, Putin also said.

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