The introduction of duties on agricultural products caused the rise in food prices

Baku/11.11.21/ The Minister of Finance Samir Sharifov, speaking at a meeting of the parliamentary committee on economic policy, industry and entrepreneurship dedicated to discussing the documents included in the state budget package for next year, commented on the increase in state duties on agricultural products and food.

 “I tell everyone that there was no increase in duties on any food products, even by a penny. There is no increase in state duties that would affect the rise in prices for food products. These are completely unfounded inventions,” he said. But if there was no increase in government duties that affect food prices, then why are their prices going up?

Vahid Maharramli, an economist and expert on agrarian issues, answered these and other questions in the "Difficult Question" program.

According to him, sometimes state officials come out with statements, various conclusions, without  reading  the documents.

“Unfortunately, Samir Sharifov does not know that the draft law “On State Duty” submitted for consideration by the Milli Mejlis, among other things, provides for the introduction of duties on agricultural products.  The talk is about issuing an examination certificate confirming the compliance of animals, products and raw materials of animal origin, as well as marking animal carcasses with veterinary requirements,” the expert said, adding that an examination certificate for cattle carcasses costs 5 manats, for small-horned livestock and pigs - 4 manats, for live poultry and poultry meat - 2 manats, for one batch of finished meat products - 5 manats, for internal organs, tongue, head and legs - 3 manats. Issuance of an examination certificate for one batch of fish will cost 3 manats 50 gepiks, for 1,000 eggs for wholesale trade - 2 manats for 50 gepiks, for the same number of eggs for retail trade - 1 manat 30 gepiks, for one batch of milk and dairy products - 60 gepiks for 1 manat, and for a batch of bee honey - 4 manats for 50 gepiks.

According to Maharramli, the introduction of these duties is quite enough to  cause the rise in food prices. The economist also does not exclude that Samir Sharifov is deliberately trying to hide information from the public in order not to cause unnecessary excitement.

“Many people do not understand that the government itself is driving the rise in prices. And of course it is interested that citizens remain in the dark about this,” Maharramli said. –0—