The Ministry of Agriculture predicted an increase in the price of bread and sunflower oil in February

The Ministry of Agriculture has prepared a forecast on how food prices will change in the near future, writes Izvestia , citing a document dated December 10 and sent to the government. It follows from it that one should expect a rise in the price of wheat flour, bread from it and sunflower oil.

According to the calculations of the ministry, producer prices for flour may rise by February 2 by 2.9% compared to November - up to 24.6 thousand rubles per ton. In retail, it is likely to rise in price by 3.7% - up to 47.3 thousand rubles per ton (47 rubles per kg). As a result, the price of bread will also rise. For manufacturers, it will grow by 1.9% - up to 52.4 thousand rubles per ton, that is, a loaf will cost almost 37 rubles. In stores, prices are expected to rise by 2.1% - up to 61.8 thousand rubles per ton (43 rubles per loaf).

Sunflower oil will also rise in price, the Ministry of Agriculture believes. By January 26, the price at manufacturers will increase by 1% compared to November, up to 93 thousand rubles per ton, in stores - by 2.2%, up to 137.4 rubles per ton, that is, 137.4 rubles per kg. The cost of sunflower seeds will decrease by 3.1%.

• Producer prices for flour, bread and sunflower oil have stabilized or are close to it, the press service of the Ministry of Agriculture told Izvestia. Manufacturers' costs continue to rise, the agency noted: utilities, logistics, packaging and other cost components are rising in price. This will have a negative impact on the price of flour and bread, and will also create prerequisites for a slight correction in prices for sunflower oil.

• According to the vice-president of the Russian Grain Union Alexander Korbut, flour and bread will rise in price, but this is not due to an increase in the cost of raw materials - producers' costs for transport and utilities are growing. This will push retail prices up.

• According to Mikhail Maltsev, executive director of the Oil and Fat Union, against the backdrop of a record harvest, farmers are holding back sales, which probably allows them to speculatively increase prices for raw materials. Export prices for oil are falling, the balance of raw materials is very high, there is already a surplus on the market, he noted, and therefore there are no market grounds for rising prices for sunflower, and therefore for socially significant sunflower oil.
• Inflation in November in Russia set another record - it amounted to 8.4% in annual terms. This is the highest since January 2016. Food inflation (including alcoholic beverages) remained close to 11% (10.81% against 10.89% in October).