Analytics, EU – Baltic States, Foodstuff, Inflation, Lithuania, Markets and Companies
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Saturday, 20.04.2024, 03:29
PM: food in Lithuania will never be as cheap as in Poland
Skvernelis said the prices could be pulled down by further competition.
"Accession of a new market player (Lidl
Lietuva) has had a really positive effect, however, this seems to be not
enough. People of Lithuania should not expect prices for food products to be at
the same level as they are in the neighboring Poland where some people go to
shop – this will never be the case, as they have economy of scale. Our national
economy is indeed small, furthermore, businesses often want to have a profit
margin," Skvernelis told the national radio LRT on Tuesday.
"Speaking about retail trade, especially food products, the only
solution here can be arrival of new competition," he added.
In the prime minister's words, a lower value-added tax (VAT) tariff on food
products would not have an effect, as buyers would not fee any impact.
Skvernelis acknowledged growing prices for services and food products in
stores and marketplaces.
According to data provided by Statistics Lithuania, the annual inflation
stood at 3.5% in June, while average annual and monthly inflation were 2% and
0.2%, respectively.
Vitas Vasiliauskas, board chairman of the central Bank of Lithuania, said in late July that
the prices may have been pulled up by the expiry of the reduced VAT tariff on
heating and increase of excise duty on alcohol and tobacco in spring. He said
prices would grow by an average of 2% next year.