The Federal Antimonopoly service (FAS) of the Russian Federation has requested that trading networks the list of food products, the prices of which will be frozen, with the name, volume, packaging and supplier. As stated in the press service agencies, such measures have been taken to analyze the implementation of the initiative, the Association of retail companies (HSE) for fixing of retail prices for socially important food products.

In addition, FAS requires you to provide information about the procedure for determining these prices, as well as the timing of their freezing.

Earlier FAS regarded the initiative HSE as valid in terms of the current economic situation in Russia.

HSE, uniting the largest trade network of Russia, in February 2015 sent to the FAS project agreement fixing of retail prices for social products. Currently adhered to the agreement of 12 retailers Magnit, X5 Retail Group ("Pyaterochka", "Perekrestok", "Karusel"), "Auchan", "Dixie", Metro Cash&Carry, "Tape", "Okay", Globus, "bill", "SELGROS", "Vester" and the Internet Mall "Platypus".

Basket of 20 items

Prices shall be fixed for a period of two months to a basket consisting of not less than 20 items. The list of goods for which a fixed price, each retailer sets its own.

While sellers formulate the final lists. Socially important are two dozen products: beef, pork, lamb, chickens, intact frozen fish, milk and some dairy products, sugar and salt, sunflower oil, some cereals, potatoes, cabbage, carrots, apples, etc. If the provider will reduce the purchase price for goods from the list, these products will become cheaper and in retail, assured in HSE. The initiative networks supported the FAS and the Ministry of industry and trade of Russia.

Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Arkady Dvorkovich February 25, called the right solution freezing trading networks of prices for socially important food products.

Freeze for 2 months

At the meeting of the crisis Committee of the government chaired by first Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov, on March 3, discussed the situation on the food market, where due to the devaluation of the ruble at the end of 2014 has seen a sharp increase in prices. Representatives of trading networks has informed the Commission about the decision to freeze prices for a basket of not less than 20 of socially important goods of the first necessity for two months.

In a statement following the meeting, the Commission emphasises the need to promote competition in the sector through increased retail space, the spread of new retail formats, and implementation of best practices of the trade.

As previously reported, for the year (January 2015 to January 2014) food inflation, according to Rosstat, walked up to 21% On its growth has affected the ruble devaluation and price spikes in autumn 2014 for individual food groups after the introduction of an embargo on the import of certain foodstuffs from countries sanctioners, including the EU and the US.