In Ukraine, it is necessary to introduce maximum prices for sunflower oil for the consumer.

This was announced by the People's Deputy of Ukraine, a member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Committee on Agrarian and Land Policy Vadym Ivchenko in a commentary to AgroPolit.com.

He emphasized that Ukrainians began to pay more for food, as evidenced by the data of the State Statistics Service. Essential goods rose in price by 14% compared to the same period last year.

“Prices for chicken fillet, beef and pork in September 2021 compared to December of the previous year increased by 25.5%, 18.8% and 7.4%, respectively. Milk and eggs have grown in price. The price of bread increased by 17%. But most of all, sugar has risen in price - by 88% (in the production of which gas accounts for 70% of costs) and sunflower oil - by almost 90% and sometimes exceeds the price of 100 UAH per liter,” the People's Deputy commented.

In his opinion, there are several reasons for the rise in prices for food. He stressed that the main reason is the rise in prices for natural gas.

“There was also an increase in the cost of production components, spare parts, transportation, packaging materials, a certain shortage of raw materials in this marketing year. And, of course, no one canceled cartel conspiracies,” added Vadim Ivchenko.

Another reason for the increase in the price of vegetable oil in Ukraine, according to Vadim Ivchenko, is the possibility that Ukrainian producers will not be able to export it to China, because the registration of vegetable oil companies by the Chinese customs service is now a big question, which bears huge financial losses. 

“It is worth noting that sunflower oil found in many European countries (perhaps even Ukrainian, but packaged with our own brands) can be bought cheaper than in domestic supermarkets. In Austria there is oil at € 2.5 for a two-liter plastic bottle (40 UAH per 1 liter), the Netherlands - 1 liter € 1.59 (55 UAH), Turkey - 1 liter from 53 UAH, Poland - 1 liter 7-8 zlotys (50-60 UAH). You can buy sunflower oil cheaper than in Ukraine even in Spain!” Added Vadim Ivchenko.

According to the people's deputy, why this is happening - in these countries, the level of taxation of food products is significantly lower, as well as a set of subsidies from the state for the production of agricultural products. It is this, as he stressed, that makes it possible to reduce the cost of food for the domestic consumer.

Vadim Ivchenko emphasized that today the state must urgently intervene in the situation and authorize the relevant authorities to check whether the profit of enterprises from the sale of sunflower oil is adequate and whether there are signs of collusion of producers and artificial price hikes.

Recall that if Ukraine does not enter the register of China until January 1, 2022, then agricultural producers will not be able to export their products to this country. In addition, over the past 12 months, sunflower oil has shown record growth rates in prices. According to the results of price monitoring in Poland, Romania, France and other countries, sunflower oil in Europe is 26-30% cheaper than in Ukraine.

Latifundist