Food stocks in country are sufficient, no reasons for concerns, deputy PM

Bishkek, Mar.13, 2020. /Kabar/. Monitoring of the domestic market, carried out by the Republican Headquarters for implementing measures, aimed at minimizing the impact of the spread of coronavirus infection on the economic situation in the country, shows that the country has a sufficient amount of food and goods, prices are stable, the press service of the Government said. "We are all human, and all react to what is happening in the world with great concern. In addition to this, some people spread information about the alleged lack of foodstuffs and urge to stockpile them. When there is official information on sufficient food stock in the country, there are no reasons for concerns,” Deputy Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Erkin Asrandiyev said during the meeting of the Headquarters. Representatives of ministries and agencies responsible for food security on the spot said citizens of the neighboring countries did indeed purchase food on the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic. However, this was observed only once. As for prices and sales, according to the State Agency for Antimonopoly Regulation under the Government, there has been no increase in prices for socially important agricultural goods and foodstuffs. A small increase was recorded for sunflower oil, wheat flour, as well as for some names of vegetable products due to seasonal phenomena. Nevertheless, according to the decision of the Republican Headquarters for implementing measures, aimed at minimizing the impact of the spread of coronavirus infection on the economic situation in the country, the possibility of financing the flour milling enterprises for provision of additional volume of grain and its processing is considered. On Asrandiyev's instructions, employees of the Antimonopoly Regulation Agency monitors prices for essential commodities. In addition, they held a meeting with representatives of large trade networks and food markets of the country to ensure stable sales and prices. In addition, the Ministries of Finance, Agriculture and Health have been instructed to work with donors to help maintain the budget, provide food and medicines. In general, the food situation in the domestic market is calm. Food stocks in country are sufficient, there are no reasons for concerns.