In the springtime, there was a lack of potatoes.
In recent developments, four enterprises have been held accountable for violating antimonopoly legislation, leading to potato shortages in several stores this spring. The Ministry of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade (MART) is investigating the matter, aiming to ensure fair trade practices and prevent such incidents in the future.
The potato shortage in stores such as "Euroopt" and "Sante" can be traced back to supplier and distribution failures. The "Euroopt" stores experienced a shortage because the supplier failed to provide the agreed-upon quantity, disrupting the store's ability to stock potatoes adequately. Similarly, "Sante" stores faced similar issues, where contractual or logistical breaches by suppliers or distributors led to a scarcity of potatoes on their shelves.
The suppliers responsible for delivering potatoes to these stores were found accountable for these violations. Additionally, any intermediaries or distributors involved who breached supply agreements or engaged in unfair practices contributed to the shortages and were held responsible.
One such supplier, KFH "Zhuravliny Cry," ignored orders from the "Sante" network. Another, KH Pakush I.A., was held administratively responsible for not fulfilling contractual obligations to supply potatoes from stockpiles to the "Hippo" and "Belmarket" networks, owned by IUP "BelVillesden." Only 7.8% of the agreed volume was delivered.
Moreover, the "Tolochinsky Canning Plant" violated its obligations to ZAO "Dobronom" by not delivering potatoes in full, while sending vegetables to other stores instead. Another farm, "Yablonevoy Sad" (Gomel region), provided potatoes with a caliber of less than 35 mm, not meeting GOST standards, despite declaring compliance with the requirements of the Customs Union and GOST.
In an effort to address the issue, the MART issued a directive to the KFH "Horizon of Mostovsky District" to begin mandatory deliveries to retail networks. It was found that this entity was slowing down potato supplies as early as May. The KFH "Horizon of Mostovsky District" (Grodno region) was also found to have delivered potatoes to other subjects of entrepreneurship, including under free resource contracts.
Investigations in the summer revealed four more cases of violating antimonopoly legislation. Inspectors visited various farms to understand the situation and take necessary actions to prevent such violations in the future. The MART is committed to maintaining fair trade practices and ensuring consumers have access to necessary goods.
The industry-wide potato shortages in stores like "Euroopt" and "Sante" can be attributed to a series of breaches in financial obligations by suppliers and distributors. The Ministry of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade (MART) is actively investigating these instances of finance-related misconduct to establish fair business practices within the industry.
