Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor Nikita Krychevsky called the negative consequences of the Ministry of Finance to raise the minimum prices for alcoholic beverages. He expressed his opinion in a personal telegram channel.
The economist believes that in the case of the approval of the draft law, the government will cross its efforts to deter price increases during the year. “It does not understand that with its rapid step will only spur inflation?” – wrote Krychevsky. He also believes that the budget of Russia does not have and will not be in the coming years of problems with the focal profit, “if, of course, the Cabinet will not take some kind of breathtaking costs.” Krychevsky doubted that the increase in minimum prices would affect the volume of alcohol consumption. “On the growth of the self-angular and consumption of surrogates – yes, and there is no to reduce drunkenness and alcoholism,” the economist said.
On November 15, the Ministry of Finance published a bill, which provides for from January 1, 2022, the growth of retail prices for vodka by 7.4 percent, from 243 to 261 rubles per half-liter bottle. The cost of brandy will increase by 7.6 percent, from 446 to 480 rubles. Brandy will rise from 324 to 348 rubles.
Press Secretary of the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov said that the head of the state does not have any position on the minimum alcohol prices. The representative of the Kremlin called the Offer of the Ministry of Finance as a question of economic feasibility.
Chairman of the National Consumer Protection Union Pavel Shapkin said that an increase in the minimum retail price (MRC) to alcohol would not cause actual growth in retail prices. In his opinion, the MRC is needed by testing authorities to distinguish legally products from counterfeit.