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Levan Davitashvili: “I would point out, that representatives of the business sector should take more responsibilities for the current situation. They shouldn’t exploit the situation, as it will lead to a speculative rise in prices”
After the meeting held by the Prime Minister of Georgia with the Coordination Council,
the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Levan Davitashvili briefed media representatives on the state of food security in the country .
“Georgian population is well aware, that our Ministry works on a continuous basis and takes coordinated efforts with all food suppliers to ensure food security in the country. We carry out full monitoring on basic groceries and essential everyday food products. Although, we state, that there is no danger of food shortages in the country and provide population with the continuous information. However, uncontrolled purchases derived from panic-stricken demands cause some delays in supplying certain products, namely certain types of cereals to the supermarkets and retail outlets. We have repeatedly stated, that food supplies are controlled in the country, there is no reason to panic; We urge the entire population to be patient and keep calm.
I would like to inform you, that import of food products is underway. However, there is a slight delivery delay due to climatic conditions, including, unloading process of cargo ships being complicated in Poti sea port, some difficulties arose in connection with the routes from west to east part of Georgia as well. At this point, more than thousand vehicles loaded with food products are standing on the border of Lars. The danger of avalanches delayed clearing of some road sections, although aforementioned delays do not really create a reason to panic. I urge the population to keep calm.
“I would point out, that representatives of the business sector should take more responsibilities for the current situation. They shouldn’t exploit the situation, as it will lead to a speculative rise in prices”
The raising panic over coronavirus makes processes even more difficult to manage. In 2-3 days we are expecting a good weather, the road will be cleared and the country will be supplied with an excess quantity of products as was ordered before.
It is very important to maintain price stability in crisis situation. However, taking into account financial stability concerns, price stabilization mechanism is developing to minimize foreign currency and exchange risks while importing basic food products. This refers to the most demanding food products.
The Ministry, like other state Agencies operates 24 hours a day. Moreover, our working group has a constant communication with all persons engaged in the supply chains to avoid problems in the delivery of food products, including provision of essential consumer goods as well ‘’ said Levan Davitashvili.