OREANDA-NEWS. March 29, 2013. Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykola Azarov demands from local authorities to take measures targeting normalization of prices for foodstuffs in case extraordinary weather conditions occur. The head of Government announced on opening the Government’s session.

According to him, certain unscrupulous commercial structures use temporary hardships connected with transportation of products to trade networks, artificially up retail prices on staple foods: bread, milk, vegetables.

“Such, so to say, “mark-up on emergency situation” is just immoral,” Mykola Azarov emphasized. “I demand, first and foremost, from heads of local administrations to immediately settle the situation. Trade networks must bear their part of social responsibility in complicated conditions”.

He believes that the best way to normalize the situation is to organize fairs of agricultural products. Mykola Azarov emphasized, that on fairs foodstuffs are sold at producer’s prices: by 10-15% cheaper than in trading networks. 

According to him, now the demand for vegetables and fruits is increasing. As there is no deficit of these products in the country their proposition depends on correct supply organization.

The head of Government reminded that from the start of year in Ukraine there have been held 14 thousand food fairs with participation of agricultural trade producers and service cooperatives, personal peasant’s and private farms.

“Inclemency temporarily ceased holding marts. They must be resumed instantly when conditions afford,” Mykola Azarov underlined. He added that through April-May the regions preliminary planned to hold around 10 thousand food fairs. The Premier views it insufficient as even in winter months there were bigger quantities of bazaars.   

Mykola Azarov commissioned the Ministry of Agrarian Policy in synergy with local administrations and municipal heads to precise the schedules of holding such fairs. 

“Moreover, I demand that the Ministry of Agrarian Policy would assume a role of interregional coordinator in order to operatively form requests for supplying certain products from the regions which possess sufficient amount of them to the areas where the demand is not satisfied,” Mykola Azarov emphasized.