By KYIV. Dec 6 (Interfax-Ukraine) – If the strike of Polish truckers on the Ukrainian-Polish border does not end by December 10, then the Christmas food basket in Ukraine will definitely become more expensive, First Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Taras Vysotsky said during the united national telethon.
“The risk of [price increase] exists. If the partners [the Polish side] still fulfill their promises, as there is currently an active discussion in the last days, for example, before December 10, the situation will be resolved later, then it will be less. If it [the strike] continues throughout December, then…, unfortunately, it [the Christmas food basket] will be somewhat more expensive,” he said.
At the same time, the deputy minister, in order to forecast the rise in prices, proposed dividing the holiday food package into several parts, placing basic social products separately.
“The borscht set vegetables, fortunately, are virtually entirely covered by domestic production. There are no price fluctuations for them,” he said.
Vysotsky said that some products are cheaper today than in the same period last year, in particular onions and carrots – 60% cheaper, eggs – 16%, sunflower oil – 18%, and buckwheat – 60%. Accordingly, for basic products provided by domestic production, there is no food inflation this season.
The deputy minister included imported goods in the second block of products. “There is no physical shortage expected, since, albeit with a delay, these products are arriving [to the Ukrainian consumer]. But if a truck travels a week longer or a thousand kilometers or two more, it is logical that delivery costs become more expensive,” he said.
Vysotsky recalled that Ukraine imports bananas, citrus fruits, most seafood, and fish. Accordingly, due to the strike on the Ukrainian-Polish border, imports of these products partially decreased. According to the government official, the consequences of the blockade of border crossing points may also affect the cost of animal feed, which Ukraine also imports.
“This group may indeed partially rise in price in hryvnia equivalent,” Vysotsky said.
He added that the consumer is already feeling the consequences of problems at the border, which have led to growth in the price of imported goods by 3-5%. The Deputy Minister allowed for a further increase in prices for it, but suggested holding off on concerns and observing the situation’s development.
“All this does not relate to basic products: eggs, milk, vegetables, cereals – all this is enough to ensure domestic consumption,” Vysotsky concluded.
