Measures are being taken in Almaty to contain prices for socially significant food products
A number of systemic and operational measures are being taken to contain prices for socially significant food products. Within the framework of "revolving" loans, preferential loans were provided to the retail chains "Magnum" and "Toimart", the factory for the production of eggs "Alsad", the producer of beef meat "Asyl Et", on the shelves of which prices are fixed for 19 items of Socially significant food products in the amount of 36.5 thousand tons. Currently, the prolongation of the loan agreement with the Toimart retail chain is being worked out.
In addition, in order to stabilize prices during the off-season from September 2021 to April 2022, 22 thousand tons of vegetables are being sold in the Magnum retail chain as part of a forward purchase. The Toymart network is selling 380 tons of potatoes, as well as 300 tons of onions at fixed prices until April 30 this year.
In 7 main markets of the city (Green Bazaar, Zhana Akbulak (wholesale), Sary-Arka, Tastak, Tausamaly, Almaty-1, Turksib Fair) there are "Social shops" where 10 items of Socially significant food products are sold (potatoes, carrots, onions and cabbage, sugar , buckwheat, sunflower oil, rice, horns, flour) at reduced prices, which creates a competitive environment among traders.
Following the model of vegetable social shops, “Meat shops” were launched in 7 markets (“Zhuldyz”, “Orbita”, “Tausamaly”, “Arystan”, “Tastak”, “Barys-4”, “Fair Turksib”). Today, there is an increase in demand from the population for meat products, due to which the sale of beef at butcher shops has increased from 1 to 4 tons per day.
19 memorandums have been concluded with Socially significant food products manufacturers for direct deliveries to the shelves in the city's retail outlets at reduced prices.
In order to prevent a shortage of products on the shelves of convenience stores, as well as to contain prices, supplies of groceries (rice, sunflower oil, 1st grade flour, buckwheat, sugar) are organized at reduced prices directly from manufacturers.
Food fairs are held on a weekly basis in 5 districts of Almaty city (Almalinskiy, Medeuskiy, Bostandykskiy, Alatauskiy, Auezovskiy). Participation is taken by agricultural producers of nearby districts of the Almaty region, as well as food enterprises in Almaty.
Together with the Department for the Protection and Development of Competition in the city of Almaty, work has been established to monitor compliance with the 15% trade markup in the Socially significant food products.
On behalf of the Head of State, together with the Akimat of the Almaty region, work is underway to restore order at the Altyn Orda wholesale market. As a result of the exclusion of a number of intermediary "schemes" in this market, a decrease in prices for vegetables, meat products and fruits is expected.
By analogy with the work carried out at the wholesale market "Altyn Orda", on behalf of the Akim of the city of Almaty, a "Regional Commission to Investigate Intermediary Schemes in the Pricing Chain of Food Products" was created, which will conduct pricing checks at retail facilities with the adoption of appropriate measures in case of revealing facts of unreasonable overestimation prices.
Work to stabilize prices for Socially significant food products remains under special control.