Russia's PM Mishustin criticizes country's ministries for neglecting situation with rising food prices

MOSCOW - Russia's Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has criticized the actions of the country's ministries that have not reacted properly to the rise in prices for certain foodstuffs, reminding them of their official duties.

"Why have the responsible ministries and departments not taken timely measures, having let slip the situation with the rise in prices for important products, though you have all of the tools? They have underestimated the risk, they have let it slip," Mishustin said during the latest government meeting on Thursday.

Mishustin recalled that the rise in prices for a number of foodstuffs was discussed the day before at a meeting on economic issues with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"This is an extremely sensitive topic for households. In conditions when incomes are declining, this is simply unacceptable. Upon the instructions of the head of state, we must take specific and definitive measures to contain prices effectively on products that are important to households," the prime minister said.

"Dear colleagues, I would like to remind you that we noticed this trend this past autumn, and paid attention to it; however, many of you explained the growth as being only a seasonal factor, without taking into account the increase in the volumes of exports of these goods, as well as the dynamics of global prices for these products, growth in the exchange rate, the reduction in the production of a number of commodity items. However, the seasonality has changed, and the situation has not improved," Mishustin said.

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