Products processed in Romania will benefit from a cap on commercial mark-ups, Romanian Agriculture Minister Florin Barbu told a press conference on Tuesday.
The bill is about 90% complete and now needs input from retailers and processors on specific products with whom the Romanian Ministry of Agriculture is in talks.
“I will try to persuade Romania’s retail sector, processors, and farmers that this ordinance benefits the entire agri-food chain,” said Barbu, adding that “the draft ordinance will be launched for public debate soon and later approved by the government.”
He also believes that capping commercial mark-ups on thousands of products will not destabilise the market.
On 1 August, temporary measures to limit price increases in 14 basic food categories were introduced. After three months, the government extended the price cap and expanded the list of products covered by the scheme.
Barbu explained that when the price caps were introduced, inflation in Romania’s agri-food sector was around 10.8-10.9%. Currently, it is around 4.5%.
He also noted that according to the latest data, retailer and processor profits have increased compared to the period before the emergency capping regulation came into force.
(Catalina Mihai | Euractiv.ro)
Source: euractiv.com
