Working trip to Slutsk District, Minsk Oblast

It is important to procure sufficient volumes of vegetables and fruit from Belarusian farms and to provide consumers with an opportunity to choose the products they like, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said during his working trip to Slutsk District on 23 October.

The President was briefed on the final stage of the harvesting campaign, gathering of vegetables and corn, replenishment of stabilization funds.

“The main objective for the Minsk mayor and governors is to distribute vegetables, potatoes in a way to avoid price fluctuations in winter and to meet the demand,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

He asked about the harvesting and procurement of fruit. The harvesting of apples is nearing completion. And the demand for this products in the country will be fully satisfied. Besides, there are no bans for import. “People will have a choice. We do not ban the import of Egyptian and other apples. If you want to sell them, you are welcome. But good Belarusian apples should be also available. We will keep prices under serious control in winter. MPs and trade unions are committed to it. And they are monitoring this issue. You need to keep an eye on trade,” the President stated.

“Give instructions, Belarusian products should be always available in retail networks. It is funny that they import potatoes from Egypt or Turkey. It’s okay. But we have the best potatoes,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.

In this regard, the President was told that the import of potatoes had been minimized recently.

The President also deems it necessary to ramp up the export of agricultural products. “You see the demand. Sugar also sells well. Russians are interested, they now have a big deficit of sugar. Of course, we will help. And sugar prices have increased,” the Belarusian leader said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko also demands to take care of farmers. They should be paid decent salaries for their work and for products they deliver.

The President was informed that there are no problems with the completion of the harvesting campaign in general. “I also feel that we do not have and will not have problems. The main thing is to gather the harvest on time,” he said.