The Minister of Development, Kostas Skrekasspoke of a further easing of inflation in the coming months, with the latest bimonthly figures for all products showing it fell to 5.3% from 8.3%, sending the message that controls on profiteering and misleading discounts, will continue unabated and where necessary, fines will also be imposed.
In his statements on the sidelines of today’s opening ceremony of AB Vassilopoulos’ Export Hub at the Sindou Trade Fair, Mr. Skrekas said that yes deflation is recorded, which means that the measures of the Greek state are slowly easing, but as he added that “we still have a way to go until we see the prices on the shelves stabilize overall and de-escalate and thus support Greek households”.
Underlining, according to APE-MPE “we’re not complacent until we see shelf prices stabilize and get to where they need to be”Mr. Skrekas expressed his belief that “in the coming months we will see an even greater de-escalation of prices in many product categories and in the basic categories that are necessary for the living of Greek households”.
Inflation went from 8.3% to 5.3%
“We have deflationary tendencies in all products and this seems to be monitored by ELSTAT, which has a time delay. Inflation within two months went from 8.3% to 5.3%”, noted Mr. Skrekas and clarified that “if you look at the individual care categories and the different types of household, we had -2% and -2.5 % inflation, i.e. negative inflation compared to the corresponding period last year”, he stressed. He added that in March the prices of fruits and vegetables decreased by up to 6%, and in particular a decline was recorded from -2% to -6%, “that is, we had deflation, as also in fish”, he noted.
For controls, he pointed out that to date they have exceeded 20,000, while fines amounting to 17.5 million euros have been imposed and he emphasized “obviously we will continue the controls, we are not going to stop them. Likewise, the emergency measures taken will continue to be in force, until we see inflation deescalating in other categories as well,” he stressed. He added: “We continue the audits and every day we audit supply companies so that they do not exceed the ceiling on the profit margin that we have established and we impose fines and announce them,” he clarified.
Wanting to argue their position especially with regard to the performance of the measures taken and put into effect by the government, the Minister of Development said: “We see that the measures are slowly paying off and the supermarkets also see it, which records the same volumes as last year, however they have lower turnovers. In fact, while volumes are slightly reduced compared to last year, their turnover is lower, which means that we now have deflation”, he stressed.
Asked if the geopolitical developments and the strike/abstention of the geotechnical workers in our country might hinder the government’s plans for the course of inflation, Mr. Skrekas stated: “Our goal is to deal with the general developments inside and outside the Greek borders and ensure affordable and competitive prices for products for consumers and households. Geopolitical developments might have an overall impact on inflation at the international level, but we should not be in a hurry because of the latest developments in our neighborhood,” he pointed out.
Easter Baskets at last year’s levels
“We want the Easter basket prices to be at last year’s levels or even lower compared to last year”, Mr. Skrekas emphasized and added that “we have asked all supermarkets that the price of lamb be at last year’s levels or lower. I believe we will succeed,” he said.
Especially for lamb and goatsaying it will be included in the household basket, said: “we think that the price for lamb and goat should be, if not lower, certainly then at 10 euros per kilo”. Regarding the power of the Easter basket for godparents, the Minister of Development pointed out that “they also have the right to have an Easter basket, so that they can support their precious mission of giving joy to their godparents”.
Greece is transforming into a hub for the export of quality agri-food products
As the minister states in his post on social media: “Greece is transforming into a hub for the export of quality agri-food products.
Primary sector products are collected from Crete to Orestiada and then exported to countries such as Romania, Serbia and the Czech Republic.
In this way, the income of Greek women and men is practically strengthened, so that they can stay in their place, create a family, support the primary sector and the social cohesion of the Region.
Our economy has been growing continuously in recent years. Greece produces, creates and exports and we will continue to move in this direction”.
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