Bekteshi: Bread prices to freeze as of Tuesday, not to exceed Mden 33
Skopje, 25 February 2023 (MIA) - Economy Minister Kreshnik Bekteshi told a press conference on Saturday that bread prices will freeze as of Tuesday, and won't exceed Mden 33.
Bekteshi added that this was only a first step in terms of products listed in the Government's decision, noting that new decision on price freeze will follow. Analyses are also underway in terms of pasta products and the funds will be used to scrap some charges.
"There can't be Mden 28 to Mden 38 difference in the price of bread, for the same bread product. In addition, quantity will also be set, and the State Market Inspectorate will conduct checks not only in terms of the price, but also the quantity, because it has been observed that certain manufacturers and traders reduce the prices, but also reduce the quantities of a given product," said Bekteshi.
According to Bekteshi, the measure will be valid until in the interest of citizens.
Prices, he added, will not increase after the measure ends, unless the prices of raw materials increase, in which case there may be a sudden price increase.
In addition, he noted, the Economy Ministry has completed all analyses on the subsidized electricity measure for the industry, for the food sector in the country, and has sent a proposal to the Government to scrap the measure given that certain companies have not complied with what has been previously agreed with the Government.
Bekteshi added that the Government is now to decide whether the measure will enter into force as of March 1, i.e. as of next week or as of April 1. He said they received from the Government through ESM almost EUR 500,000 as difference monthly.
"We could use those EUR 500,000 we currently have as expense through the budget, to make and design other measures that will benefit the consumers," said Bekteshi.
The Ministry of Economy submitted a proposal to the Government to scrap the subsidized electricity measure for companies from the food industry after analyses showed that a large part of the companies using subsidized electricity from ESM Sales have not reduced the prices of basic food products.
The measure applied to companies that produce oil, bread and bakery products, flour, milk and dairy products, the meat and poultry industry.
Photo: MIA Archive
