VIDEO: We Must Stand Shoulder to Shoulder at This Time, Says Artsakh Minister of Agriculture on Food Issues

Food trade points operating in Stepanakert and surrounding areas receive sugar, oil, corn, rice, and pasta from state reserves. According to the Minister of Agriculture, the supply is carried out for everyone based on the same principle and at the same price.

The Minister of Agriculture of Artsakh, Grant Safaryan, noted that in stores where the first batch was provided, the second delivery is no longer granted during the second round; instead, it is delivered to stores that have not yet received supplies. The Agricultural and Agricultural Support Fund has urged citizens to approach the situation with understanding, avoid panic, and refrain from making unnecessary purchases.

“We definitely need to stand shoulder to shoulder at this moment, helping each other to move forward. It is not right for the entire burden to be left on state bodies—to claim that they are either not functioning well or not doing their job properly. We all need to help each other so that we can achieve results,” said the minister.

Due to the current situation, a markup of up to 15% has been established for all goods received from the state reserves. Entrepreneurs who sell at higher prices will be deprived of product supplies, the Agricultural and Agricultural Support Fund announced.

“Lists of commercial entities that must receive these goods from the reserve fund are being developed and compiled. After completing those tasks, the fund submits the lists to the commission, which begins oversight activities within its powers,” reported Hrach Avtandilyan, head of the Economic Competition Protection Department of the Artsakh State Service for Economic Competition.

The working group of the State Commission for Regulating Public Services and Economic Competition conducts daily oversight in trading points. Under scrutiny are not only the prices but also ensuring that the received goods reach consumers in full.

“They understand the seriousness of the moment and the created situation. There are a number of entrepreneurs who sell the products received from state reserves at the same price they acquire them, but there are also certain entities that need to be monitored to prevent them from raising prices,” Avtandilyan stated.

The State Commission for Regulating Public Services and Economic Competition has a hotline at (047) 95-95-55. Considering the number of trading points, the agency also uncovers violators based on alerts.