Belarus lifts govt control of some foodstuff prices

MINSK, May 15 (Itar-Tass) - Authorities in Belarus on Saturday lifted
government control over the prices of some foodstuffs, the Economics
Ministry said.
"State-controlled restrictions are lifted on trade markups for minced
meat, dumplings, meat by-products, cooked sausage, fish, cheese, salt,
bananas, oranges, and lemons," a report issued by the ministry said.
Retail and wholesale markups will be applied to these products "with
due account of the actual market situation," it said.
In April, the Economics Ministry lifted all the price restrictions for
importers. At the moment, the retail prices for commodities of foreign
manufacture are being established on the basis of current supply and
demand.
In the meantime, the prices of imported foodstuffs are growing steeply
on the background of an acute shortage of foreign currency and a
devaluation of the Belarussian ruble.
Local analysts predict that the country may run into a full-blown
shortage of imported foods and commodities.
According to the data released by the National Committee for
Statistics, consumer prices for commodities and services have grown 10.9%
since the beginning of the year. This parameter currently puts Belarus to
the top of the list of CIS countries.