Skopje, 9 May 2023 (MIA) — Dismissing media allegations that grocery stores were fined for violating the government's price freeze on some fruits and vegetables, Economic Chamber food retailers in a press release Tuesday said they had received fines – but those were issued, they stressed, for stores not stocking the government-prescribed quantity of produce.

Following Minister of Economy Kreshnik Bekteshi's announcement that more food retailers would be fined for violating the price freeze, many supermarket chain representatives notified the Economic Chamber they were unable to stock some kinds of fruit and vegetables despite making orders and contacting suppliers.

According to the Economic Chamber, grocery stores are stocking as many fruits and vegetables as their suppliers deliver. "They are not able to sell any produce if the supplier does not distribute it to them," the release stresses.

"Hence, food retailers urge the authorities not to burden the companies with punitive measures that will affect their finances in these difficult moments for the economy," the release says. mr/