Two weeks before the holiday, demand traditionally increases by 30%
The Federal Antimonopoly Service warned retail chains about the inadmissibility of profiting from chicken eggs, even though the demand for them, as the main symbol of Easter, is traditionally soars up within two weeks (this year Easter falls on May 5). Many townspeople do not believe in keeping prices “in check” — some have already started purchasing eggs. «MK» investigated the situation on the capital's chicken egg market two weeks before the main Orthodox holiday.
On April 18, the FAS Russia reminded market participants of the ban on unjustified increases in prices for chicken eggs. “The service sent the corresponding letters to the manufacturers of these products and retail chains,” – reported on the department's website. The FAS takes into account that before Easter the demand for eggs will increase, but market participants should restrain prices “in the interests of consumers.” and adhere to responsible pricing principles. “Antimonopoly response measures” will be taken against violators.
As MK was convinced, there are an abundance of eggs on the shelves of the capital at different prices, for any budget: from 109 to 380 rubles. for ten. Moreover, even in the luxury supermarket chain there are quite affordable eggs for 109 rubles. (and the highest price there is 179 rubles). The sellers in this store assured that their eggs will not rise in price before Easter. In the network of “health food stores” the price range is approximately the same: from 118 to 187 rubles. – the latter “from free-range chickens.”
In the supermarket of another well-known chain, in the egg section, the shelves are filled from top to bottom with trays, but it is noteworthy that the shelf of the most expensive ones in the line (144 rubles) is empty: there is only one box on it. Obviously, this category is understood better than anyone else. Grandma puts two dozen in her cart. “Yes, it’s already for Easter. I buy for myself, for my children, and for my grandchildren – I usually paint it for all my relatives, we have a family tradition, – she says, – Eggs will definitely become more expensive in a week, this always happens, so I’d rather do it now. You look at some products – almost every month their prices rise by 10-20 rubles!'.
I go to the grocery store at the temple. “Your eggs cost 210 rubles?!” They really look like gold.” “But these are the Diveyevo ones, the most famous!” – The saleswoman was surprised at my surprise. – They sell out very well.” “Do you know if your eggs will become more expensive by Easter?” “It’s unlikely here, but in stores – exactly, – the seller says confidently. – The white ones are gone, everything has been taken apart! White ones are painted; they are always in greater demand before Easter.” It is customary for Orthodox Christians to paint eggs on Maundy Thursday – a few days before Easter Sunday, but the church shop worker explained that this can be done now: “The meaning of the holiday is not about colored eggs, so you can do it at any time, – she smiled. – You cook them, and once they’re boiled, they can easily sit in your place for two weeks until the holiday.”
Next point – one of the fairs. The seller of «milk» when asked about the prices of eggs, he answers: “They already went up in price two weeks ago!” These ones cost 200 rubles, and now – 250. And chickens have also become more expensive. (Chickens and eggs — farm, Istra). Therefore, it is unlikely that there will be another increase by Easter.” “But I see you have such expensive ones.” for 380 rubles! Oh, they have two yolks.” “That’s why they buy them the most, it’s profitable!” – The seller noticed. By the way, guinea fowl eggs are also on sale for as much as 550 rubles.
As she noted in a conversation with a MK correspondent: Svetlana Ilyashenko, associate professor of the basic department of trade policy at the Russian University of Economics named after G. V. Plekhanov, eggs are included in the list of socially significant goods, the rise in prices of which is monitored by the state.
– In order to prevent sharp fluctuations in prices for such goods, a mechanism is provided when the government sets maximum retail prices: as soon as the price of a socially significant product for 60 consecutive days (excluding seasonal factors) increases by more than 10%, then it can be set maximum retail prices for up to 90 days, – explains the expert. –The last time such a mechanism was introduced was in 2020 in relation to sunflower oil and granulated sugar.
According to Rosstat, prices for chicken eggs in 2023 increased by more than 60%. This is a very high annual growth rate, which has hit hard, first of all, on the pockets of low-income Russians, for whom eggs are very important as a source of animal protein, since they cannot afford meat.
– Various reasons were then given: from the rise in prices of imported feed and vaccines due to sanctions and rising exchange rates to the difficult epidemiological situation and labor shortages, – reminded the expert. – The state responded to rising prices using a well-known method – In relation to both manufacturers and large retail chains, in 2023, together with the antimonopoly authorities, supervisory checks were carried out to determine the extent to which such an increase was justified. In December 2023, the FAS proposed limiting the markup on chicken eggs at 5%, after which several federal retailers announced that they were voluntarily joining this initiative. And in order to saturate the domestic market through imports, the government zeroed out import duties on eggs imported from friendly countries until June 30, 2024.
These measures really balanced the domestic market and the rate of growth in egg prices not only slowed down , but in some regions there is even a slight decrease.
– Everyone decides for themselves. You need to look at the shelf life. The demand for chicken eggs in the last two weeks before Easter actually traditionally increases by 30%, after which it also decreases back, but retail chains are well aware of these trends and prepare in advance. Inventories in retail chains are almost complete. And the FAS has already proactively sent relevant letters to both manufacturers and retailers banning unreasonable price increases. Therefore, in such conditions, an egg is unlikely to become expensive on Christ's Day.