There is no reason for food shortage and price
increase. Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykola Azarov said this today while opening a meeting of the
Government, Cabinet's press office reported.
"I appeal to all citizens of Ukraine: the state has sufficient
stock of buckwheat, grain and other food products to compensate for a slight
reduction in the harvest this year, caused by abnormal drought. No reason for boom
in prices, much less for shortage of goods on the shelves of stores," emphasized
Mykola Azarov.
The Prime Minister said that on behalf of
the Government local authorities together with the Ministry of Agrarian Policy
would organize seasonal fairs, at which citizens would have an opportunity to
purchase products without intermediaries at market prices.
At the same time, Azarov noted that large retail chains also have
every opportunity to provide a full range of food products on the shelves of their supermarkets, and, if necessary, receive
prompt assistance from the state.
"I just want to warn, those who intend to use the
speculative demand and pick citizens’ pockets, will immediately
meet harsh reaction from the state," concluded the Head of the Government.
Mykola Azarov also noted that in order to avoid similar situations in the future the Government
had started a foundation of a civilized food market,
which will include a minimum of intermediaries between a producer and consumer.
