OREANDA-NEWS. The government may resort to fixing food prices. This is reported by RIA Novosti, referring to a video received with a statement by Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Viktor Yevtukhov during a meeting with metallurgists.

“We have such authority [to establish fixed prices] for food products, and we have never used it. Maybe we will have to use this for food,” Yevtukhov said.

He recalled the situation with sugar packers who keep their products in warehouses. Problems have arisen due to the fact that the packers who are supposed to supply it to the network take the products to the warehouse and wait for the price of sugar to rise by 50%.

On March 11, the State Duma presented a draft resolution under which the lower house of parliament may recommend that the Cabinet of Ministers develop a plan of measures to create inventories. On the same day, the State Duma considered amendments to the legislation allowing the state to regulate prices for socially important goods.

“Recommend to the government of the Russian Federation to prepare a plan of measures to create inventories necessary for the smooth functioning of the economy of the Russian Federation, as well as to support the main categories of consumers,” the document says.

Earlier, the branch union of bakers asked the deputies of the State Duma to provide an opportunity to raise prices based on the growth in cost.

11 March The State Duma considers amendments to legislation allowing the state to regulate prices for socially important goods. On March 9, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin announced the allocation of 2.5 billion to compensate part of the costs to bread producers.