The increase in food prices for the week remained at zero
Over the past week, the increase in prices for social food products on average remained at zero. These results and the process of stock formation for the upcoming calendar year were discussed on Saturday at a meeting in the Government chaired by Deputy Prime Minister-Minister of Trade and Integration Serik Zhumangarin.
The MTI Trade Committee presented the results of the analysis of the contracts concluded by the SEC, during which they determined the average purchase prices and those who approached this work without due responsibility.
«We analyzed 134 contracts and identified average purchase prices in the country: potatoes – 113 tenge, carrots – 108 tenge, onions – 107 tenge, cabbage – 97 tenge. At the same time, the prices are not final, since the SEC contracts include a clause on price changes depending on the market value», — Chairman of the Trade Committee Aidar Abildabekov informed.
Also, the analysis conducted by the main trade department of the country revealed that when concluding contracts for granting loans to entrepreneurs, SECS often allow poor-quality registration of input data, which makes it difficult to conduct in-depth analysis and pricing forecasting. In particular, the volume (in tons), prices for product items, purchase and retail prices, amount, interest rate, price stabilization period, loan repayment schedules and product deliveries, list of retail outlets, etc. are not specified. For example, JSC «SEC «KOKSHE» concluded a loan agreement on February 22, 2023 to stabilize prices for potatoes in the off-season in the amount of 200 million tenge without specifying the volume of products sold.
«We also found that many contracts have a section on confidentiality and non-disclosure of information. These points contradict the legislation of the country and complicate obtaining contracts for analysis», — Aidar Abildabekov said.
Serik Zhumangarin addressed the participants of the meeting about the confidentiality of contracts with the SEC.
«What kind of confidentiality can there be in SEC contracts? These are budget funds. I instruct the Ministry of Agriculture to take control and redo all contracts. If necessary, develop a single standard contract, where a firm price, product name and quantity will be indicated. By the end of the month, all regions must contract rice in the amount of 30% of the 3-month volume. I remind you once again that the stabilization of prices in the domestic market, on which food inflation depends, will only give the necessary amount of stocks», — the Deputy Prime Minister said.
Vice Minister of Agriculture Yerbol Taszhurekov informed about the progress of forward financing of the autumn vegetable harvest.
According to him, the regions are currently working on prolongation of contracts with sugar factories within the framework of the "revolving scheme". The volume of contracts for today is 44.9 thousand tons, with a recommended demand of 25.3 thousand tons. Recommended reserves have been formed in almost all regions of the country, with the exception of West Kazakhstan (12%), Karaganda (26%), East Kazakhstan (56%) and Almaty (86%) regions.
Что касается контрактации риса, то по итогам проведенной в Кызылординской области ярмарки на сегодня As for the contracting of rice, according to the results of the fair held in the Kyzylorda region, 12 regions have signed contracts in the amount of 7.8 thousand tons at an average price of 400 tenge per kilogram, while about 21 thousand tons are needed in the country.12 регионов заключили контракты в объеме 7,8 тыс. тонн при средней цене 400 тенге за килограмм, тогда как по стране необходимо порядка 21 тыс. тонн.