Despite the difficult economic situation in Belarus, Russians of border regions (Bryansk region in particular) still prefer to do shopping in neighboring Belarus. Despite the recent price rise due to the Belarusian ruble devaluation, it's still cheaper for Russians to buy certain products in the neighboring country than in Russia.
Movement from Russia to Belarus and back has become free under the Customs Union since July 1, 2010; there’s been no official data about the increasing number of Russians’ «shop tours» in Belarus so far. However, morning bus route Novozybkov-Homel were crowded as never at the weekend (May 21-22), according to RIA «Novosti.»
The most attractive products for Russians in Belarus are cheese, sour cream, sugar and sausages. Thus, if a kilogram of cheese could be purchased for RUS130 in Homel on May 22, in Bryansk region it would have cost more than RUB200.
Bryansk Chamber of Commerce holds regular exhibitions, fairs, where the Russians can buy products manufactured in Belarus. Despite the recent price hike, the Belarusian products are still in demand among Russians. The Chamber of Commerce reported that the Belarusian partners, despite the economic problems in the domestic market, hadn’t refused to participate in the next fair to be held on June 1.
As Telegraf previously reported, the devaluation of the ruble, conducted by the National Bank of Belarus on May 24, provoked Belarusians’ excessive demand for the food with long shelf life, as well as home appliances. Due to the fx rates increase, almost all types of goods and services have significantly gone up in prices.
