Russian minister hopes for small pre-New Year food price increase

MOSCOW, Dec 16 (PRIME) – A pre-New Year spike in food prices, especially vegetables, may be insignificant, Russian Agriculture Minister Alexander Tkachyov said in an interview with Rossiya 24 TV Channel on Wednesday.

“To be honest, it should be said that there is some increase before the New Year… By 1-2%, it is impossible to stop, control it, to do anything to make prices fall before the New Year. This is a market and we understand perfectly that the state also has no such instruments, levers.”

“That is why we hope that the rise will be insignificant and will not influence family finances on such a lovely holiday.”

He said that the Russian authorities monitor prices to prevent any collusion between producers and suppliers.

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