Putin criticized government over rising food prices

“Real disposable income fell by 4.3%, while sugar prices increased by over 71%. People limit themselves because they have no money for basic food. Where, where are you looking? This is the question! This is not a joke”, - Putin said at the meeting, an excerpt of which was shown on the Russia 1 TV channel.

According to the president, the rise in food prices is due to economic reasons and has nothing to do with the coronavirus pandemic and production levels. Thus, prices increase due to the fact that the “labor market is straining”, unemployment rises and incomes fall. Putin considers unacceptable a significant increase in prices for products such as pasta, sugar and flour.

“All approvals will be finalized during tomorrow or the day after tomorrow and the corresponding management decisions will be issued in the form of documents early next week”, - he said.

According to Rosstat, in January-November 2020, sugar rose in price by 71.5%, sunflower oil - by 23.8%, flour - by 12.9%, bread - by 6.3%. “If not stopped, it will continue to grow”, - the head of state believes.

Earlier, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin approved the composition of an interdepartmental working group that will monitor prices for socially significant food products and restrain their growth.