Serik Zhumangarin discussed with the heads of retail chains the progress of vegetable supplies from stabilization funds

Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Trade and Integration Serik Zhumangarin held an operational meeting with the heads of retail chains of Kazakhstan on the price situation and the progress of vegetable supplies from the stabilization funds.

Last Saturday, Serik Zhumangarin instructed all akimats to start the maximum release of vegetables from stabilization funds to retail chains. According to the Trade Committee, as of March 7, the total sales volume of vegetables amounted to 19688.22 tons, of which potatoes – 7559 tons, carrots – 3935.2 tons, onions – 5234.72 tons, cabbage – 2959.3 tons.

The number of sales outlets has increased – from 727 to 892. Additional retail outlets were added in Shymkent (from 5 to 25), Zhambyl (from 58 to 63), West Kazakhstan (from 27 to 56), Kostanay (from 21 to 52), Kyzylorda (from 51 to 54), Mangystau (from 26 to 29), Pavlodar (from 23 up to 59) and Turkestan regions (from 4 to 23), as well as in the regions of Zhetysu (from 53 to 55) and Ulytau (from 19 to 34).

According to statistics, the dynamics of onion price growth has noticeably stabilized. Prices have decreased in Astana and Ulytau region — the former anti-leaders in price growth. Price stabilization is fixed in 10 regions. Growth continues in Almaty, Akmola, Almaty, Zhetysu, Zhambyl, Karaganda, Pavlodar, Turkestan regions, which indicates insufficient effective work to curb price growth. For potatoes, a decrease is noted only in the Turkestan region, for carrots – in Astana, Atyrau, Almaty, Ulytau regions, for cabbage – in Astana and Aktobe region.

At the meeting, Serik Zhumangarin addressed representatives of retail chains with a question about whether there are problems with the supply of vegetables from the stabilization funds. Retail chains of the Aktobe region raised the issue of insufficient volume of onions supplied, only 2 tons per week with a demand of 6 tons. Similar questions were raised by representatives from other regions.

«We will work out these issues with the akimats of the regions, if there is a shortage of reserves, we will reorient supplies from the southern regions. A week ago, a delegation from Tajikistan returned, 6.5 thousand tons of onions were contracted at an affordable price, but this is not enough for the off-season. Tajikistan's producers are ready to contract large volumes. Moreover, the Tajik railway gives 80% discount on the tariff for transportation on its sections. Kyrgyzstan is ready to supply cabbage at a low price. There is also an agreement on a «green corridor» for the supply of early vegetables from Uzbekistan», —Serik Zhumangarin said.