The expert stressed that given the rise in food prices and wages, people should think about their consumer habits / Photo UNIAN Vladimir .
GontarExpert stressed that given the rise in food prices and wages, people should think about their consumer habits / Photo UNIAN Vladimir Gontar .
Ukraine , Ukraingate, 28 , January , 2022 | Ukraine News .
On January 12, 2022, the Cabinet of Ministers introduced state regulation of prices for a number of products .
Given the rise in food prices and the average salary in the country, it is time for Ukrainians to think about what products they buy and change their diet.
This opinion, as they say in the UNIAN material, was voiced by Deputy Director of the Center for Economic Strategy Maria Repko.
According to the expert, wages are usually “pulled up” to a certain period of time, but this requires money somewhere.
The expert stressed that given the rise in food prices and wages, people should think about their consumer habits, as buying not very useful fast food is often more expensive than fresh and healthy products.
“Fresh meat and vegetables are often cheaper than expensive branded semi-finished products, and healthy and modern recipes do not require long efforts in the kitchen. For example, fresh chicken fillet in the store sells for 140 UAH / kg, and sausages – for almost 200 UAH / kg “, – she noted.
At the same time, according to the expert, price regulation may lead to a deficit.
“Currently, the main tool of the government – subsidies and assistance to the poor. Including it can be in the form of food stamps, there is nothing wrong with that. But price regulation distorts markets and can lead to deficits. The main market method of combating inflation “Inflation targeting is what central banks do, not governments,” Repko said.
Monitoring and state regulation of prices:
On January 12, 2022, the Cabinet of Ministers introduced daily monitoring of prices for 30 food and non-food products, including onions, beets, carrots, potatoes, and white cabbage.
Also on January 12, 2022, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine introduced state regulation of prices for a number of products.
Product cards in Ukraine:
On January 11, 2022, it was reported that the President’s Office was discussing the possibility of introducing food stamps in Ukraine.
Low-income citizens will receive food stamps. It is assumed that the cards will exist not only in paper form, but also in electronic form – in the application “Action”.
What you can buy on grocery cards:
Product cards will not apply to all products, but only to the “socially significant”. This list includes:
buckwheat;
sugar;
macaroni;
wheat flour;
pasteurized milk 2.5%;
wheat loaf;
rye-wheat bread;
chicken eggs;
poultry meat;
still mineral water;
butter 75.3%;
sunflower oil.
Who will receive food stamps:
Coupons will be issued to the poor. According to various estimates, at the moment from 20% to 50% of the population of Ukraine need help.
2.5 million households in Ukraine receive a utility subsidy. Therefore, we can expect that millions of Ukrainians will receive grocery cards.
How much will the introduction of food stamps cost Ukraine:
According to experts, the introduction of food stamps will cost 50 billion hryvnia. Experts suggest that other social programs may have to be cut. There are also fears that the initiative will hit the working population, which is the main taxpayer, the hardest hit.
Source : Ukrgate