The Council of Ministers of Belarus has approved an additional list of staples, targeted for temporary 90 days' price controls by the Ministry of Economy. According to government decree № 676 of May 28, prices of staples cannot be changed until July 1, 2011 and exceed the level approved on May 28, 2011.
Updated list of socially important goods (works, services) includes basic consumer goods, defining the standard of living:
1. Live fish
2. Fresh fish (but for delicate)
3. Salted herring
4. Cheeses made from cow milk, hard and soft
5. Cereals: pearl barley, fine ground barley, oatmeal
6. Oat flakes without flavoring and other additives
7. Fresh: cucumbers, tomatoes, apples, bananas, lemons, oranges
8. Coffee, tea
9. Salt food (other than edible sea salt)
10. Offal from beef and pork of first and second categories, as well as of chicken and chick meat
11. Cooked sausages, frankfurters
12. Blood and liver sausage
13. Synthetic detergents
May 28, 2011, the Ministry of Economy adopted Resolution № 79 «On the trade mark-ups for socially important goods, which prices are regulated by the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Belarus within a period not exceeding 90 days.» According to a document, Belarus establishes limiting maximum trade margins for staples (including the wholesale mark-up) to the sale prices of producer organizations or prices set by legal entities and individual entrepreneurs, procuring goods outside Belarus. This ruling is valid within 90 days.
As explained in the government, these documents are aimed at preventing unjustified price growth of consumer goods and services.
