FAS checks major retail chains over egg prices – Kommersant

The Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) has begun inspections of the largest retail chains in Russia. The agency is conducting an “analysis of pricing for chicken eggs.”

According to press release FAS, inspections are underway in the networks “Perekrestok”, “Magnit”, “Dixie”, “Pyaterochka”, “Lenta”, “O’Key”, “Metro”, “Auchan”.

“Inspections are carried out to check for the conclusion of anti-competitive agreements between retail chains, which could lead to an increase in the cost of a socially important product. This includes checking prices for chicken eggs when purchasing under long-term contracts and tenders, information on purchase and sales volumes,” the FAS added.

By the end of 2023, chicken eggs had risen in price in 46 Russian regions, on average they increased in price by 40%. President Vladimir Putin argued that the reason for the increase in prices for chicken meat and eggs was an increase in demand. In December 2023, eggs from Azerbaijan arrived in the country, in January brought a batch of eggs from Turkey. At the end of February, the head of the FAS Maxim Shaskolsky at a meeting with Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin statedthat eggs are becoming cheaper, including due to price agreements with producers and sellers.

Read about the market situation in the Kommersant article. “Between sovereignty and sausage”.

Laura Keffer